Santee to Receive Mosquito Abatement Treatment

On Wednesday, April 22, a County Vector Control  helicopter will be hovering over ponds in the San Diego River to deposit tiny pellets that prevent mosquito larvae from growing into biting adults. 

This will be the first  of several aerial pesticide applications during the mosquito-breeding season, which runs from April to October. The pesticide consists of corn cob or sand granules coated with three types of bacteria that specifically target mosquito larvae.

The mosquito reduction effort is aimed at preventing West Nile virus.  More information is available at www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh/aerials

Buzz Kill: Mosquito Abatement Chopper to Visit Santee

The county’s Vector Control helicopter will be hovering over Santee on Wednesday, May 9 to deposit an anti-mosquito larvicide in vegetation surrounding ponds in the San Diego River and at Sycamore Creek.

The small pellets to be dropped contain two types of bacteria that target mosquito larvae, preventing them from maturing into biting adult insects.

County officials said the VectoMax larvicide affects only mosquito larvae and is harmless to humans, wildlife and vegetation.

Aerial applications of the larvicide are done about ever four weeks between May and September at more than 40 locations countywide with stagnant or slow-moving water favored by mosquitoes.

The county’s “Fight the Bite” campaign is aimed at reducing the risk to humans of mosquito-borne illnesses.You can read more about the program at the Department of Environmental Health website.