Health District to conduct second mosquito aerial larviciding of 2018

Larviciding will cover hundreds of acres from Stead to the South Meadows area

RENO, NV – The Washoe County Health District Vector-Borne Diseases Program will conduct its second seasonal helicopter larviciding application in the early morning hours of June 6, 2018. The larviciding will cover the Stead, South Meadows and Damonte Ranch areas to prevent mosquito hatching over approximately 800 acres. 

Health officials report the applications will consist of VectoLex, a biological larvicide that only targets mosquito larvae, with no side-effects to humans, fish, water fowl or other beneficial insects such as bees. 

While monthly larviciding can help to reduce the number of mosquitos in the area, health officials remind people that they also should take personal steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitos. 

To avoid mosquito bites:

• Wear proper clothing and repellent if going outdoors when mosquitos are most active - in the early morning and evening;
• Use a repellant containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitos from biting you. DEET can be used safely on infants and children 2 months of age and older. Applications can be put directly on the skin and also on clothing;
• Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep mosquitos out. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes;
• Clear standing water and any items from around homes that can be potential mosquito breeding-grounds, including pools, planters, children’s sandboxes, wagons or toys, pet bowls, and small puddles underneath and around faucets; and,
• Vaccinate your horses for WNV. 

If you are experiencing biting mosquitos call the Vector-Borne Diseases Program at 785-4599, and staff will investigate the source of these adult mosquitos. The Vector Borne Diseases Program also has mosquito fish available for ponds, troughs and other impoundments containing water which will prevent mosquito larvae from hatching into biting adult mosquitos.  

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