Helicopters to spray for invasive mosquitoes in Palm Springs
The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District is stepping up enforcement to reduce invasive mosquito populations in Palm Springs by conducting aerial spray operations where Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have been detected.
The Aedes aegypti is capable of transmitting deadly viruses including dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika, officials said in a release.
The reason for the stepped up enforcement is due to the recent expansion of the invasive species which covers nearly 1,000 acres, according to the CVMVCD’s release. Residents are urged to to help reduce mosquitoes by getting rid of standing water from their yards.
The mosquito spraying will take place over eight sequences beginning July 29 through the end of September. All of the aerial sprays will be conducted on Saturdays between 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
The aerial application zone will be within the borders of East Sunny Dunes Road, South Sunrise Way, East Vía Carisma, and the mountain, including more than 2,000 properties, officials announced Wednesday. Should detection of the mosquito expand during the period of the aerial operations, the application zone could expand to Ramon Road, South Sunrise Way, East Murray Canyon Drive, and the mountain, including more than 4,000 properties.
“The ultimate goal is to protect public health in our community from mosquito-borne diseases,” District Manager Jeremy Wittie said. “Aerial control is a critical tool in achieving that goal, as it helps to reduce mosquito populations by targeting stagnant water sources, where mosquitoes develop, in areas inaccessible to ground control measures.”
Postcards will be sent to residents in the area over the weekend and signs will be posted in the area the week before the first application, officials said.
If you’re in the area of the mosquito sprays, you’re asked to check CVMVCD’s website for routes and updated application times.
According to the release, vector control has conducted more than 2,500 door-to-door inspections, educating residents, and carrying out larval and mosquito control at properties where necessary. Despite these efforts, the invasive mosquito detection area is expanding quickly.
The reason for aerial applications?
Officials said helicopters allows more precise applications because of better speed control and maneuverability. A similar strategy was used in Coachella and Indio over several months and significantly reduced the number of mosquitoes in those two cities. While these viruses are not currently transmitted locally, the District is taking steps to rid this mosquito from the Coachella Valley before it becomes established.
What is the control product being used?
District officials said Altosid is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. The active ingredient in this product is an insect growth regulator and prevents mosquito development from the immature phase to the adult phase. The product should have no adverse effects on people, pets, birds, mammals, or fish, when applied according the label instructions. People with pre-existing allergies may want to avoid exposure during and immediately after the application as a best practice.
Three more traps in the east valley have recently captured mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus as well. Each positive sample contained between 30 to 50 mosquitoes. The traps were located near Buchanan Street and Avenue 80, Lincoln Street and Avenue 65, and Lincoln Street and Avenue 70.
According to the vector control district, This brings the total number of WNV-positive samples in the Coachella Valley to 67 for this year. At the same time in 2016, there were 13 WNV-positive mosquito samples and 10 positive mosquito sample for Saint Louis encephalitis virus.
KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will keep you posted as the aerial mosquito sprays take place in Palm Springs.
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