"Santa Clara County officials will carry out an aerial mosquito control treatment over the Palo Alto flood basin Wednesday aimed at reducing the population of winter salt marsh mosquitoes. The treatment, which will be applied via helicopter, will utilize mosquito-hormone regulators and microbes to prevent larvae from developing into adults, according to a press release from the Santa Clara County Office of Communications and Public Affairs."
"The mosquito variety also known as Aedes squamiger can travel as far as 20 miles to seek blood to consume, officials said, and are opportunistic feeders and aggressive biters. In the flood basin, they breed in high numbers. The district monitors the mosquitoes' breeding levels and monitors the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, dengue and West Nile virus, officials added."
"These treatments have been used almost annually since 1992, according to county health officials. The pesticides involved are not harmful to humans, wildlife or beneficial insects when used in the low doses required for this type of treatment, and they do not remain in the environment for long. Any pesticides involved are approved by the state and federal environmental protection agencies."
Santa Clara County will conduct an aerial mosquito control treatment over the Palo Alto flood basin to reduce winter salt marsh mosquitoes. Application via helicopter will use mosquito-hormone regulators and microbes to prevent larvae from developing into adults. The treatment is scheduled to begin around 8 a.m., weather permitting, and will last several hours. The targeted mosquito, also known as Aedes squamiger, can travel up to 20 miles, are opportunistic feeders and aggressive biters, and breed in high numbers in the flood basin. The district monitors breeding levels and the spread of Zika, dengue and West Nile virus. Treatments have been used almost annually since 1992, and pesticides used at low doses are approved by state and federal agencies and do not persist in the environment.
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