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

 

County to Drop Mosquito Control Pellets

A county vector control helicopter on Wednesday, Aug. 28 will be dropping anti-mosquito pellets at various spots along the San Diego River including Santee.

It will be the eight mosquito pellet application so far this year, with a final drop scheduled for Sept. 18.

Local drop sites include Town Center, Carlton Oaks, Sycamore Creek and Lake Kumeyaay, as well as three locations in Lakeside.

The rice-sized pellets contain two types of bacteria that, while harmless to humans and wildlife, kill mosquito larvae before the insects can develop into biting adults.

The county Department of Environmental Health pays for the program to help control West Nile virus, which is spread to humans by mosquitoes that have fed on infected animals. The virus was detected in dead birds that were found earlier this month in Encinitas and El Cajon and in July in Carlsbad, Ramona and Lakeside.

Click here for more information on West Nile virus

Mosquito Time: Bring On the Chopper

There’s a buzz in the air, which means it’s mosquito season again in Santee.

The San Diego County Vector Control Program will be conducting its first aerial drop of mosquito larvicide for the 2013 mosquito season on Thursday, April 18th  at various sites along the San Diego River. The larvicide used in these aerial drops is specific to mosquito larvae, and will not affect other wildlife or people.

These drops will occur in area wetlands to reduce the mosquito population and the risk of West Nile virus. Mosquitos are monitored and tested for West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases throughout the season.

Cases of West Nile virus peak during warm summer months, and human symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, fatigue, skin rash, or swollen glands. If you believe you have these symptoms, contact your health-care provider.

Getting the Buzz? Report Mosquito Problems

If mosquitoes are bugging you at your home, business or neighborhood park, there is a solution.

You can help ensure the problem gets attention by calling the county Vector Control Division at (858) 694-2888 or email them at vector@sdcounty.ca.gov.

 The county’s program to control mosquitos is aimed at curbing the spread of West Nile virus, which can be harmful to birds, other wildlife and humans.

Vector Control allocates its resources based on several “data points,” one of which is complaints from the public.  Bottom line: Calling will help the county pinpoint  the location of mosquito problem areas.

Aerial drops of anti-mosquito larvacide pellets from helicopters usually start in May and continue through the summer.  However, the county can deploy additional mosquito abatement resources before, during and after the aerial program.