Oceanside CA– The San Diego County Vector Control Program has scheduled a third aerial spraying application of mosquito larvicide for the 2014 mosquito season for Thursday, June 12, 2014. Larvicide applications will be conducted at various wetlands throughout the county.
The County of San Diego Vector Control Program contractor applies mosquito control larvicide by helicopter to wetlands in an effort to reduce mosquito population and the risk of West Nile Virus (WNV). Female mosquitoes can lay up to 200 eggs at a time in the still water found in wetlands. These eggs hatch into larvae which feed on organic material. The mosquito larvicides are made from naturally occurring bacteria which target the mosquito larvae in the water. This results in the efficient reduction of larvae before they can develop into biting adults which can spread diseases such as West Nile Virus.
After a mild winter and an unusually hot spring, adult mosquito populations have been increasing in recent weeks. Additional applications will be conducted at four week intervals or as needed. Mosquito populations are monitored and tested for the presence of West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases throughout the county during the mosquito season.
Controlling mosquito abundance is essential in preventing the spread of West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. West Nile Virus is a mosquito transmitted disease that has its peak occurrence during the warm summer months. The symptoms of West Nile Virus include: headache, fever, nausea, fatigue, skin rash or swollen glands. About one in 150 people infected with WNV develop more severe symptoms, such as meningitis, encephalitis, or myelitis.
If you think you have symptoms consistent with West Nile Virus, contact your healthcare provider. Remember that the best protection against this virus is to prevent mosquito breeding and mosquito bites. For more information on the application locations or the material used please view the San Diego County West Nile Virus Home page [Link]