Due to the high number of aggressive, day-biting mosquitoes in one area and the detection of West Nile virus in another area, the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District will be fogging by truck to control adult mosquitoes in Discovery Bay and Bethel Island.
Fogging will begin in Discovery Bay Thursday evening beginning around 7:45 pm, while Bethel Island will begin around 4:30 am Friday.
DATE: Thursday, August 14, 2014 (see note below)
LOCATION:
SOUTH DISCOVERY BAY AREA AGRICULTURAL LAND:
The area to be treated is bordered on the east by the San Joaquin River; on the west by unincorporated agricultural land access roads; on the north by Highway 4; and on the south by unincorporated agricultural land access roads.
TIME: This area will be fogged between 7:45 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., weather permitting.
NOTE: If weather conditions do not permit fogging at this time, fogging will take place on the evening of Friday, August 15, 2014 from 7:45 and 11:30 p.m., weather permitting.
MATERIALS USED:
The insecticide to be used is Pyrocide 7067 applied at a rate of .75 ounces per acre by truck-mounted, ultra low volume sprayer.
DATE: Friday, August 15, 2014 (see note below)
LOCATION:
JERSEY ISLAND AGRICULTURAL LANDS AND TAYLOR ROAD, BETHEL ISLAND:
The area to be treated is bordered on the east by Bethel Island Road; on the west by unincorporated agricultural land; on the north by Taylor Road; and on the south by Dutch Slough.
TIME: This area will be fogged between 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., weather permitting.
NOTE: If weather conditions do not permit fogging at this time, fogging will take place on the morning of Saturday, August 16, 2014 from 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., weather permitting.
No West Nile virus has been detected in this area at this time.
MATERIALS USED:
The insecticide to be used is Pyrocide 7067 applied at a rate of .75 ounces per acre by truck-mounted, ultra low volume sprayer.
(For an interactive map, please click here – available shortly after this notification is published)
The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District utilizes an integrated vector management program which means we use a variety of protocols for controlling mosquitoes. These protocols include public education, physical control such as managing vector habitat, biological control such as mosquitofish, and chemical control such as pesticides.
The majority of the District’s mosquito control is completed when mosquitoes are still in their aquatic form, in their water source. Once mosquitoes emerge from the water as adults, the only effective method to control them is by using pesticides. We use only those products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency for the use of mosquito control and protecting public health. They are applied by our trained and certified technicians.
Sincerely,
Craig Downs
General Manager
Mosquito Samples: 10
n | Date Reported | City | Cross Streets | Species |
1 | 6/23/14 | Knightsen | Holland Tract Area | Culex tarsalis |
2 | 7/7/14 | Discovery Bay | Cherry Hills Dr. | Culex pipiens |
3 | 7/7/14 | Martinez | I-680 x Waterfront Rd. | Culex tarsalis |
4 | 7/14/14 | Discovery Bay | Cherry Hills Dr. x Marina Rd. | Culex pipiens |
5 | 7/16/14 | Discovery Bay | Bixler Rd. x Balfour Rd. | Culex pipiens |
6 | 7/17/14 | Discovery Bay | Cherry Hills Dr. x Wayfarer Dr. | Culex tarsalis |
7 | 7/23/14 | Discovery Bay | Byron Tract Levee | Culex tarsalis |
8 | 8/6/14 | Discovery Bay | Point of Timber Rd. x Bixler Rd. | Culex pipiens |
9 | 8/12/14 | Discovery Bay | Hwy 4 x Western Farms Ranch Rd. | Culex pipiens |
9 | 8/13/14 | Concord | David Ave. x Cayce Ct. | Culex tarsalis |
Dead Birds: 26
n | Date Reported | City | Cross Streets | Species |
1 | 4/23/14 | Alamo | Danville Blvd. x Camille Ave. | American Crow |
2 | 5/18/14 | Pleasant Hill | Monument Blvd. x Mohr Ln. | American Crow |
3 | 6/9/14 | San Ramon | Norris Canyon Rd. x Bollinger Canyon Rd. | American Crow |
4 | 614/14 | Oakley | Empire Ave. x Main St. | American Crow |
5 | 6/17/14 | Oakley | Empire Ave. x Hemlock Dr. | American Crow |
6 | 6/17/14 | Oakley | Empire Ave. x Hemlock Dr. | American Crow |
7 | 6/20/14 | Brentwood | Lone Tree Wy x O’Hara Ave. | American Crow |
8 | 6/25/14 | Antioch | Hillcrest Ave. x Sunset. Dr. | American Crow |
9 | 6/26/14 | San Ramon | Bollinger Canyon Rd. x Norris Canyon Rd. | American Crow |
10 | 7/2/14 | Bethel Island | Bethel Island Rd. x Gateway Rd. | American Crow |
11 | 7/9/14 | Walnut Creek | Arroyo Wy. x N. Broadway | American Crow |
12 | 7/10/14 | Oakley | Kay Ave. x O’Hara Ave. | Western Scrub Jay |
13 | 7/13/14 | Antioch | Camby Rd. x G St. | Western Scrub Jay |
14 | 7/14/14 | Brentwood | Foothill Dr. x Balfour Rd. | American Crow |
15 | 7/16/14 | Danville | Hartford Rd. x Danville Blvd. | American Crow |
16 | 7/17/14 | Antioch | Hargrove St. x E. 18th St. | American Crow |
17 | 7/17/14 | Brentwood | Minnesota Ave. x Windmeadows Dr. | Western Scrub Jay |
18 | 7/21/14 | Antioch | Judsonville Dr. x Hansen Dr. | Western Scrub Jay |
19 | 7/23/14 | Concord | Bancroft Rd. x Hookston Rd. | Western Scrub Jay |
20 | 7/29/14 | Pinole | Mann Drive X Appian Way | Western Scrub Jay |
21 | 8/6/14 | Concord | Ryan Road x Wilmore Avenue | American Crow |
22 | 8/6/14 | Alamo | Stone Valley Road x Roundhill Road | American Crow |
23 | 8/7/14 | Danville | Montcrest Place x Love Lane | Western Scrub Jay |
24 | 8/7/14 | Discovery Bay | Cherry Hills Dr. x Wayfarer Dr. | American Crow |
25 | 8/10/14 | Concord | David Ave. x Getoun Dr. | American Crow |
26 | 8/11/14 | Brentwood | Burghley Ln. x Centennial Dr. | American Crow |
Sentinel Chicken Flocks: 2
# of Chickens out of 10 (10 per Flock) | Date Bled | Area |
1/10 | 6/16/14 | Holland Tract |
3/10 | 6/30/14 | Holland Tract |
1/10 | 7/14/14 | Holland Tract |
1/10 | 7/14/14 | Oakley |
1/10 | 7/28/14 | Holland Tract |
Horses: 0
n | Date Reported | City | Dead/Euthanized |
Adult Mosquito Spraying FAQ
Q. What will trigger spraying?
A. If West Nile virus is detected in the community or there are high numbers of mosquitoes in an area, the District’s initial response will be to intensify its efforts to reduce mosquito breeding sites and increase its levels of larviciding in those areas in which West Nile virus has been found. Reducing the adult mosquito population with pesticides (adulticides) registered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be done if necessary to prevent human illness or to suppress a heavy nuisance infestation of mosquitoes. The decision to spray, either by truck mounted sprayers or by aircraft, will be based on surveillance information or the documentation of West Nile virus activity at a level that indicates a threat to human health. Spraying will be concentrated in areas most at risk for disease occurrence and will be conducted by certified and licensed applicators. The District’s aggressive campaign against mosquito larvae is intended to minimize the need to use adulticides.
Q. What pesticides will you use?
A. When necessary, our District may use ground and aerial application of pesticides to kill mosquitoes that pose a health risk to the residents of Contra Costa County. In the case of adulticiding, or targeting adult mosquitoes, we would use botanical insecticides (plant derived compounds) or synthetic versions of, that include pyrethrins and synthetic pyrethroids, as well as piperonyl butoxide. In an emergency situation, we may use malathion or sumithrin. All of the products we use are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and applied according to label directions by our trained and certified technicians. Click here for more information on pesticides used in adult mosquito control.
Q. What risks are there to the residents of Contra Costa County?
A. The risks to the public and to the environment are very low. Mosquito adulticides are applied as ultra-low volume (ULV) sprays. ULV applications involve small quantities of active ingredient in relation to the size of the area treated, typically less than 2 ounces per acre, which minimizes exposure and risk to people and the environment.
Q. Where will the spraying take place?
A. The spraying will take place in areas of concern, as determined by our mosquito and disease surveillance programs. Our trained and certified technicians use a variety of surveillance techniques and treatment criteria to ensure effective mosquito control with the least amount of risk to our residents and our environment.
Q. What are the risks to the environment?
A. The risks to the public and to the environment are very low. Mosquito adulticides are applied as ultra-low volume (ULV) sprays. ULV applications involve small quantities of active ingredient in relation to the size of the area treated, typically less than 2 ounces per acre, which minimizes exposure and risk to people and the environment.
Q. Are the insecticides exclusive to West Nile?
A. No. The pesticides we use target a variety of mosquitoes than can transmit West Nile virus as well as other diseases.
Q. Should I Take Steps to Reduce Exposure to Pesticides During Mosquito Control Spraying?
A. Generally, there is no need to relocate during mosquito control spraying. The pesticides have been evaluated for this use and found to pose minimal risks to human health and the environment when used according to label directions. All of the products we use are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency for controlling mosquitoes and protecting the public.
Although mosquito control pesticides pose very low risks, some people may prefer to avoid or even further minimize exposure. People who suffer from chemical sensitivities or feel spraying may aggravate a preexisting health condition may:
- Consult their physician or local health department and take special measures to avoid exposure.
- Close windows and turn off window-unit air conditioners when spraying is taking place in the immediate area.
Q. How Can I Learn About Spraying Events?
- Sign up for our adult mosquito fogging notification service or visit this website for announcements about spraying. Pay attention to the local media for announcements about spraying and remain indoors during applications in the immediate area.