Borrego Sun - Since 1949

San Diego County's Department of Environmental Health is scheduled to drop mosquito-fighting larvicide 48 local waterways Wed. July 13.

This is the fourth time this year that the County has used helicopters to drop solid, granola-sized larvicide on ponds, rivers and wetlands to help control mosquitoes and West Nile virus, a potentially deadly virus that can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. The larvicide does not harm people or pets, but kills mosquito larvae before they can become adult mosquitoes.

No one in San Diego County or the state has tested positive for West Nile virus this year. However, officials from the county environmental health's vector control program said last week that they have already collected more batches of mosquitoes with the virus here this year. than in all of 2015.

Prevent

Prevent mosquito breeding sites. Every week, dump out and clean containers that hold water inside and outside homes, from equipment to toys, flower pots, old tires, anything that can collect water. Fill plant saucers with sand or fine gravel so water won't form pools where mosquitoes can breed.

Protect

Protect yourself from mosquito bites. Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors. Use insect repellent, preferably one containing DEET. Make sure the screens on your windows and doors are in good condition, do not have holes or tears, and are secured to keep insects out.

Report

Report if you are being bitten by mosquitoes during daylight hours, or if you find mosquitoes that match the description of the yellow-fever mosquito or Asian tiger mosquito, by contacting the Vector Control Program at (858) 694-2888 or vector@sdcounty.ca.gov.