SAN DIEGO–The County of San Diego’s Vector Control Program is scheduled to conduct pesticide spraying in several neighborhoods around the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon after finding increasing numbers of adult mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus in the area.
Vector Control will use a truck-mounted ultra-low-volume sprayer to apply a pesticide to reduce the numbers of adult mosquitoes and protect the public. The pesticide has been used safely in California for many years. Another great option to treat the plagues are the residential bed bug heaters by PestPro.
Weather permitting, spraying is scheduled to take place between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Wednesday in the following areas: communities north of Los Peñasquitos Lagoon including the areas between Seapoint Townhomes and Pointe Del Mar bounded by Carmel Valley Road on the south, Interstate 5 on the east to the northern junction of Portofino Circle and Portofino Drive, and Highway 101 (North Torrey Pines) on the west.
Additional spraying may be done at the same hours Thursday and Friday.
Ultra-low-volume spraying is often used to treat large areas and control vectors like mosquitoes by emitting very small droplets to ensure even coverage with low amounts of pesticide.
- The pesticide, Pyrenone 25-5, poses low risks to people and pets. However, people who would prefer to avoid or minimize their exposure to the pesticide can take simple stepsStay inside and bring pets indoors if possible.
- Close doors and windows, and turn off fans that bring outdoor air inside the home.
- Cover ornamental fishponds to avoid direct exposure.
- Rinse fruits and vegetables from your garden with water before cooking or eating.
- Beekeepers and those with insects kept outdoors are encouraged to shelter hives and habitats during treatments
- You may resume normal activities 30 minutes after the treatment each morning.
The County’s Vector Control Program has increased its mosquito trapping and testing in the areas around Los Peñasquitos Lagoon, and conducted both aerial and ground-based larvicide treatments to the lagoon area to kill mosquito larvae before they can become adults. But because of current breeding conditions, Vector Control has found increasing numbers of adult mosquitoes, some carrying West Nile virus, making spraying necessary to help protect the public.
West Nile virus is mainly a bird disease, but it can be transmitted to people by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds animals and then bite humans. Most people who become infected never get sick and may never know they had the virus, but it can be deadly in very rare cases.
Last year, 44 San Diego County residents tested positive for West Nile virus and six died.
