San Diego County's Vector Control Program is ramping up its mosquito-spraying efforts in La Mesa to combat the rising number of mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus. The operation will expand into an approximate total of 7,000 to 8,000 parcels within Rolando and other parts of La Mesa, with pesticide applications scheduled for the early morning hours of Monday and Tuesday. This is an attempt to protect the public from the virus's potential spread.
According to a report from the County of San Diego, the treatments will occur between 1 AM and 6 AM using AquaDuet, an EPA-approved pesticide known to pose low risks to humans and pets. This decision comes after earlier interventions this week were deemed successful, yet further surveillance identified more mosquito activity and necessitated additional measures to reduce the mosquito population quickly.
As a precaution, residents in these areas might want to remain indoors, keep their pets and pet water bowls inside, and close windows during the spray times. The County assures that normal activities can safely resume around 30 minutes post-treatment. Furthermore, beekeepers, particularly those registered with the County's Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures, are being advised to shelter their hives to avoid pesticide exposure.
Despite no human cases reported in San Diego this year, the threat of West Nile virus remains significant. The County's "Prevent, Protect, Report" campaign emphasizes proactive measures residents should take to minimize mosquito breeding and exposure, reported the County of San Diego. These include eliminating standing water around homes and using protective clothing and EPA-recommended insect repellents.
