Health District to Conduct Fourth Mosquito Aerial Larviciding

Larviciding will cover 1,000 acres throughout Washoe County

Reno, Nev. July 15, 2019 - The Washoe County Health District Vector-Borne Diseases Program will conduct the fourth seasonal helicopter larviciding application in the early morning hours of July 17, 2019.  The helicopter larviciding will cover approximately 1,000 acres in Washoe County from the North Valleys to Washoe Lake.

Health officials report this application will consist of VectoLex, a granular formulation for residual control of mosquito larvae that prevents the emergence of adult mosquitoes. Controlling mosquito larvae reduces the number of mosquitoes capable of spreading diseases like West Nile Virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, and Equine Encephalitis.

While monthly larviciding is expected to reduce the number of mosquitoes in the area, health officials suggest individuals should also take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. During the spring and summer months people should:

• Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants in mosquito prone areas. Especially in early morning and evening hours when mosquitoes are most active;
• Use mosquito repellents, applying a layer directly on skin, and one on clothing for maximum protection;
• Keep window and door screens in good repair to prevent mosquitoes from entering into homes;
• Vaccinate horses for Western Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus; and,
• Clear areas around living spaces of any free-standing water and containers that can hold even small amounts of water like pet bowls and planters. These may become mosquito breeding grounds.

The Vector-Borne Diseases Program also has mosquito fish available for ponds, troughs and other large water containers. The small minnow-sized fish feed on mosquito larvae and prevent them from hatching into mosquitoes.

If you are experiencing biting mosquitoes, call the Vector-Borne Diseases Program at 328-2434, and staff will investigate the source of the mosquitoes.

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