Mosquito Spraying Scheduled Sunday and Monday

The area above Elk Grove will be sprayed for mosquitos from 8 p.m. to midnight on Sunday and Monday night, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District announced Friday.

In Elk Grove, the area being sprayed will be north of Elk Grove Boulevard and east of Franklin Boulevard. Between Waterman and Excelsior roads, the spraying will only extend as far south as Sheldon Road.

“In the past few days many dead birds and mosquito samples have tested positive for the [West Nile Virus] disease,” a press release quoted District Manager David Brown as saying. “The activity is widespread throughout the county and we need to take immediate action to reduce the risk of human infections. With the upcoming holiday, we know many residents will be enjoying outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active, so it’s imperative that we reduce potentially infected adult mosquito populations to protect public health.”

More information is available on the district's website. The full press release follows:

AERIAL SPRAYING TO CONTROL MOSQUITOES INFECTED WITH WEST NILE VIRUS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN SUNDAY EVENING 

View Aerial Treatment Information Page with Map

Elk Grove, Calif.— The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District announced today that aerial treatment for adult mosquitoes that may carry the potentially fatal West Nile virus is scheduled for two consecutive nights beginning Sunday, July 1 and Monday July 2 from approximately 8:00 pm to midnight over portions of  Sacramento County. “In the past few days many dead birds and mosquito samples have tested positive for the disease” said David Brown District Manager. “The activity is widespread throughout the county and we need to take immediate action to reduce the risk of human infections” added Brown. “With the upcoming holiday, we know many residents will be enjoying outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active, so it’s imperative that we reduce potentially infected adult mosquito populations to protect public health.”

Aerial spraying will occur over approximately 70,000 acres in areas of Sacramento County south of the American River down to the Elk Grove area. Aerial spraying will also be conducted in North Highlands where many birds and mosquitoes have also tested positive for the disease. For exact spraying locations please refer to the attached map or visit www.FIGHTtheBITE.net.  Aerial treatments will be made using either a pyrethroid or an organophosphate insecticide registered for use in mosquito control by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California EPA. While attempts are made to notify the public, the District may postpone or cancel a scheduled application due to unfavorable weather conditions or other reasons.

Residents can subscribe to receive email notifications for mosquito treatments by zip code. To sign up, visit www.FIGHTtheBITE.net  and go to Spray Notifications. Information for current treatments planned is also available on the District website under Spraying Updates.

District field staff will be working during the upcoming holiday to continue surveillance efforts and treatment of all mosquito breeding sources. The District strongly encourages all residents to properly manage water so they are not breeding mosquitoes on their property.

2012 West Nile virus activity update:

Level 2–Sacramento County:  174 dead birds, 0 sentinel chickens, 127 mosquito samples have tested positive forWest Nile virus to date.

Level 2–Yolo County:  9 dead birds, 0 sentinel chicken, 4 mosquito sample have tested positive forWest Nile virus to date