Washoe County Health District Conducts Fifth Mosquito Larviciding

Larviciding will cover over 1,000 acres from Stead to Gerlach to Washoe Valley

Reno, Nev. August 5, 2019 - The Washoe County Health District Vector-Borne Diseases Program will conduct the fifth seasonal helicopter larviciding application in the early morning hours of August 7, 2019. The larviciding will cover Lemmon Valley, Kiley Ranch, Red Hawk, Rosewood Lakes, Butler Ranch, South Meadows, Damonte Ranch, Washoe Valley and Gerlach.

Health officials report the applications will consist of Altosid and VectoLex, biological larvicides that naturally occur in the environment. These products target mosquito larvae with no affect to humans, fish, water fowl or other non-target organisms, like bees. The application is restricted to wetland areas; residential neighborhoods will not be affected.

While regularly scheduled larviciding is expected to reduce the number of mosquitoes, health officials remind residents and visitors to take steps to avoid mosquito bites. During the spring and summer months people should:

• Clear areas of standing water, such as accumulated sprinkler runoff, which supports mosquito breeding
• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and pants in mosquito prone areas
• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellants containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), or 2-undecanone
• Take steps to control mosquitoes in and around homes, like repairing window screens
• Vaccinate horses for Western Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus (WNV)

Earlier this summer the Washoe County Health District confirmed a mosquito sample from the Hidden Valley and Rosewood Lake area tested positive for the presence of WNV.  This was the first positive sample test in Washoe County in 2019. There have been no human cases of WNV reported in Washoe County this year. 

If you are experiencing biting mosquitoes call the Washoe County Health District Vector-Borne Diseases Program at (775) 326-2434, and staff will investigate the source of the adult mosquitoes.  The Program also has mosquito fish available, which can prevent mosquito larvae from hatching into biting adult mosquitoes. 

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