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May 22, 2009

arrowWhat's the buzz? Mosquitoes and spraying

Things are buzzing in Clovis.

Mosquitoes have arrived in numbers big enough to make the Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District warn the public to protect themselves -- and for the district to spray neighborhoods to kill the adult pests. It's also hired pilots to fly over homes photographing backyards with green swimming pools.

So far, mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have been detected in an area roughly bordered by Dakota, McKinley, Highway 168 and Willow Avenue. But they're likely spread out to other areas where they've yet to fall into mosquito traps set out to catch them for testing.

Aerosol fogging is occurring at night in areas where mosquitoes have been found with West Nile virus or areas with high numbers of adult mosquitoes, said Steve Mulligan, the district manager.

The district doesn't notify neighborhoods before fogging, he said. "It's critical that we get in there and do it as soon as we can," he said. "We don't have a mechanism that we can notify a neighborhood before we fog."

The spray is safe, Mulligan said. But people who are concerned about exposure to mosquito insecticides can contact the district to be notified of any spraying in their neighborhood, Mulligan said. The telephone number is (559) 896-1085.

The Fresno Mosquito Vector and Vector Control District has not done aerosol spraying, said Manager Tim Phillips.

The mosquito activity is about a month early, Mulligan said. "Now with Memorial Day coming up and with the hot weather people are going to be spending more time outside in the evenings," he said. "It's very critical that they use insect repellents when outside during these periods of time."

People also should report any unmaintained, green swimming pools. They're the major source of mosquito breeding in cities.

Mulligan said the district plans to start flights next week over the city to photograph backyards so they can identify green swimming pools that can be treated with mosquito fish.



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