Health District conducts fourth mosquito treatment

800 acres to be covered after more mosquitos test positive for West Nile virus

RENO, NV - The Washoe County Health District will be conducting its fourth mosquito abatement operation this season beginning at 6:30 a.m., Thursday, September 8. Helicopter applications of Vectolex will be applied to 800 acres of wetlands in Lemmon Valley, Rosewood Lakes, Butler Ranch, South Meadows, Damonte Ranch and Washoe Valley.

According to health officials, this application is timely as there are continued positive confirmations of mosquitos carrying West Nile virus, most recently in tests conducted in the Damonte Ranch and Reed High School areas. The transmission of mosquito arboviruses is based on average daily temperatures and even though temperatures have decreased in the past few days, they are still in the range for adult female mosquitos to transmit diseases. Although several tests have confirmed mosquitos are carrying West Nile in the area, no mosquitos which carry the Zika virus have been detected in the Truckee Meadows.

The Washoe County Health District encourages everyone to avoid biting insects by taking the following precautions:

• Wear pants and long sleeved shirts and apply repellent such as Deet, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or other natural products to protect yourself from biting mosquitos. Two layers of repellent may be applied, one on the skin and a second on clothing.
• Repair tears in doors and window screens around your home or office, or keep them closed to keep mosquitos outside.
• Remove standing water or any objects that can trap or collect water around your property which make breeding grounds for mosquitos.
• If you have ponds, troughs or water features around your property, contact the Washoe County Health District Vector-Borne Disease Prevention Program to see if free Mosquito Fish are available.
• If you notice increased mosquito activity, call the Washoe County Health District Vector-Borne Disease Prevention Program at (775)785-4599 to investigate the source of the mosquitos.

Note regarding Vectolex applications: Vectolex is a biological larvicide that consists of a naturally occurring bacterium called Bacillus sphaericus. It is ingested by the mosquito larvae upsetting their mid gut and prevents them from reaching adults.

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