A Message from District Manager David Brown
The sun is shining once again and the weather is warming up which means that our mosquito season has started! On March 19th, our District received notification of the first dead bird infected with West Nile virus. This is a sign of virus activity for the season and a clear indicator mosquitoes are out looking for a blood meal and a place to lay their eggs.
Household water management is critical during this time of year, as late rains followed by warm temperatures create the ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. We urge all residents to check for mosquito breeding sources around their home. At least once a week, it's important to empty containers that may collect water such as buckets, flower pots, bird baths and old tires. Emptying these containers will go a long way in ensuring that mosquitoes are not breeding on your property.
Of special concern for the District are the high numbers of foreclosed homes in the area that have abandoned swimming pools. For the past few months, the District has been working closely with various city and county agencies to obtain lists of foreclosed homes with pools. Pools are a significant threat because if left un-attended, they can produce thousands of mosquitoes infecting an entire neighborhood. We anticipate that this could be a significant problem during the hot summer months ahead and we urge the public to report any un-attended swimming pools by calling 1-800-429-1022 or filling out a service request form. In 2007, over 1000 pools were found to be producing mosquitoes and required treatments by District field technicians.
As days get longer and people come out to enjoy the warm weather and sunshine it remains important to protect yourselves from mosquitoes and West Nile virus. Wear long sleeves and pants as you take your walk. Wear a good mosquito repellent, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Make sure to follow all label directions. Remember to keep doors and window screens closed to avoid mosquitoes from entering your home.
As the mosquito season begins our commitment to the residents of Sacramento and Yolo counties stands firm. District employees will aggressively continue to treat mosquito sources in urban and rural areas. We will also continue educating the public through our advertising campaign, participation in community events, presentations and series of community education forums. To find a complete listing of scheduled forums in your area click here.
Together, we can ensure a safe and healthy environment for all. If you need assistance with mosquitoes please call us at 1-800-429-1022 or submit an online service request. We are here to help you!
West Nile virus update - Level 2 as of March 19th, 2008
Stay informed by visiting the following links:
If you see a bird, particularly a crow or magpie, lacking signs of trauma that has been dead for less than 24 hours, please report it online or call 1-877-WNV-BIRD (1-877-968-2473). Crows and magpies are particularly susceptible to the disease, so they make excellent early warning sentinels for virus activity in our area.
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