Mosquito Season

As you have probably noticed, there has been an increase in the number of mosquitoes recently due to a variety of factors, including the warmer weather and high tides. To better protect our communities and the environment, the County Vector Control Program (VCP) applies mosquito larvicide via helicopter to mosquito breeding areas that cannot be treated by hand. The next aerial application is scheduled for Wednesday, August 31^st, and Thursday, September 1^st. You might see the helicopters spraying both the San Elijo and San Dieguito lagoons. Another aerial larvicide application is scheduled for September 21^st and September 22^nd, if necessary.

The County uses helicopters to drop batches of solid, granular larvicide on hard-to-reach rivers, streams, ponds and other waterways roughly once a month from April through October to help stop mosquitoes from potentially spreading disease like West Nile virus. The larvicide does not hurt people or pets but kills mosquito larvae before they can grow into biting mosquitoes. 

Residents should also help protect themselves from mosquitoes in and around their homes by finding and dumping out standing water to keep the pests from breeding. Getting rid of mosquito-breeding sites is critical to lowering the number of mosquitoes in our community. A mosquito only needs a tiny bottle cap-size pool of water to lay up to 300 eggs, which is why removing standing water is critical.

The Basics: 

• Do not leave standing water in watering cans, empty after each use.
• Do not let ANY water sit in drip pans under plants. Place sand or fine gravel in the drip pans. Make sure pots are draining well and there are no puddles, even tiny ones can become a breeding ground.
• Fix any leaky faucets and hoses. Mosquitoes can breed in the water that pools underneath them.
• Water can collect in cans, bottles, toys, coffee cups, pet bowls, etc. Clear your patio of any potential breeding debris. 
• Mosquito fish may be picked up free of charge at different locations throughout San Diego County.

Protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses by wearing long sleeves and pants or use insect repellent when outdoors. Use insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Make sure screens on windows and doors are in good condition and secured to keep insects out.

Some useful mosquito (and other vectors) information can be found on the County of San Diego’s vector control website and useful fact sheets on preventing mosquito breeding and protecting against mosquito bites can be found here.