County to Start Aerial Larvicide Drop Today
- Susan Heavilin
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The County will soon begin dropping larvicides from the sky with the excuse that they need to kill mosquito larvae that transmit West Nile Virus (WNV).
West Nile virus is named after the West Nile district in Uganda, where it was first identified and isolated in 1937.
"West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in the US in the New York City area in 1999. The precise method of introduction is unknown, but it likely arrived via an infected bird, human, or mosquito, possibly from the Middle East, as the 1999 strain closely matched viruses in Israel."—Google
They say that the aerial larvicide drop is harmless but do your homework. It is toxic to many non-target species.
Are Bacterial Larvicides Safe?
Saccharopolyspora spinosa is used to kill fleas in pets. "It is widely used in organic agriculture to control caterpillars, beetles, flies, and thrips." Wait, don't butterflies start out as caterpillars?
Pyrethroid Deltamethrin and Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis are both toxic to Carp and amphibians (think frogs). I have a large Koi pond and Koi are fancy carp. This aerial poisoning might be killing my biggest, most beautiful Koi every year because the bigger they are, the more susceptible they are. Normally, Koi can live up to 100 years. If you're finding dead Koi in your ponds, could it be the monthly larvicide drop?
What is the Purpose of the Larvicide Drop?
The County applies mosquito larvicide via helicopter so there's no avoiding it.
But why? They state that mosquitoes "can transmit many serious diseases including West Nile virus and encephalitis to people and animals. The symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, headache, chills, and rashes." Have you ever known anyone that contracted West Nile Virus? I wonder how many dead birds they have to test to find just one with WNV.
My horses have to get WNV vaccines annually. After what I've read, I'll be revisiting that.
The more I go down this rabbit hole, the more suspicious it all sounds.
Are There Other Ways to Rid Your Property of Mosquitoes?
You betcha! There are many natural ways to rid yourself of mosquitoes.
Planting lavender helps as it is a natural repellent. Its strong aroma hides scents that attract mosquitoes. Other mosquito repellants include Basil, Marigolds, Mint and Rosemary.
Mosquito fish will eat any larvae in your ponds, acting as a natural biological control agent. A single fish can consume 100 to 500 larvae daily, making them effective for stagnant water, such as in ornamental ponds, fountains, and water troughs. I have them in my Koi pond and have no mosquitos. The Koi leave the mosquito fish alone and they're all one big happy fish family.
They live 2-3 years and can breed in their first 6-8 weeks of life. I have found that once you get some mosquito fish, you will never need to get them again.
San Diego County will provide them for free at the following locations. The closest location is City Farmers Nursery at 4832 Home Avenue. You can pick up a few plants and your kids will love all the farm animals. And then there's that delicious Nate's Grill in the same parking lot...
Bat boxes will welcome bats is your property. A single bat can eat 1,000 insects an hour! Vector Disease Control will argue that point but look into it. Who are you going to trust? I chose natural over chemical every day of the week.
Dump any standing water you may have on your property. Rains from previous months may have collected water in pots or containers you have laying around. Dump them like an old boyfriend.
Close your Drains. Unused or slow-draining sinks, tubs, and floor drains can hold just enough water for mosquitoes to lay eggs. Keep them closed when not in use or pour some bleach down them. Also check for leaky outdoor faucets, blocked gutters, and unscreened rainwater barrels and sump pumps. A little standing water maintenance can go a long way in keeping your home mosquito free.
Learn About the County Aerial Larvicide Drop
The San Diego County Vector Control will begin its first routine aerial larvicide drop of the year on March 24. They do them monthly through October. "The larvicide used is a solid, granular product that is safe for people, pets and wildlife but effective at controlling mosquito larvae." For more information, read Aerial Treatments Start to Prevent Mosquitoes.
Comments