Mosquito Control in Santee

A helicopter under contract with County Vector Control will be dropping  pesticide granules on Wednesday over ponds in the San Diego River in Santee to control mosquitos.

 The pesticide consists of corn cob or sand granules coated with naturally occurring bacteria that target mosquito larvae and prevent them from developing into biting adults.

 Vector Control says the granules are not harmful to people, pets, plants or wildlife.

 The aerial pesticide applications take place between April and October as part of a public health effort to control West Nile virus.

More information about the program is available on the Vector Control website at www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh/aerials

 

Buzz Kill: Aerial Mosquito Abatement This Weds

If you see a helicopter hovering over the San Diego River in Santee this Wednesday, May 8, it’s probably a contractor working for the county’s Vector Control Program.


The aircraft will be dropping a tiny grain-sized mosquito larvicide called VectoMax, which contains two types of laboratory grown bacteria that prevent mosquito larvae from maturing into flying adults that bite.

This will be the second aerial application of mosquito larvicide for the 2013 mosquito breeding season. Additional applications are typically done at three- to four-week intervals during the summer.

County officials say the larvicide pellets are harmless to humans, wildlife and the riparian habitat that surrounds the river. The county's mosquito-abatement effort is aimed at preventing the spread of West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.

County officials say the granules, which are about one-eighth of an inch long, will not generate a fog, mist or cloud.

The aerial drops are aimed at preventing the spread of the West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.