A helicopter will be hovering over Searsville Lake and its marshes on Wednesday, August 16, dropping granules of a larvicide designed to kill mosquito larvae as part of a program to combat West Nile virus by reducing mosquito populations.
The helicopter will be back on September 5, September 27, and October 18.
While birds infected with West Nile virus have been found this year in Santa Clara, Alameda and Marin counties, only one infected bird has turned up in San Mateo County. An infected crow was found in Moss Beach in April, said Chindi Peavey, chief vector ecologist for the county Mosquito Abatement District. “So far, it’s been real quiet,” she said.
The granules dropped to control mosquitoes are about the size of coarse sand and contain bacteria specific to mosquitoes, according to a district press release. The material does not harm fish, birds or other animals.
Ms. Peavey reminds people to get rid of standing water around their homes where mosquitoes might breed.
People who are having problems with mosquitoes and being bitten should call the district at 344-8592.
People who find dead birds, especially, blue jays and crows, should also call the district. “We definitely want to hear about dead birds,” Ms. Peavey said. “But they have to be fresh.”
Dead birds may be reported to the district, or to the state’s West Nile hotline at 877-WNV-BIRD.
For more information, visit smcmad.org.
Free mosquito packets for seniors at county fair
Seniors who visit the San Mateo County Fair on Tuesday, August 15, (when all seniors over 62 will be admitted free) should be sure to pick up a mosquito packet.As part of the county’s “Fight the Bite” campaign to combat West Nile virus, the county health department will hand out free packets containing mosquito repellent, wipes, and informational brochures on West Nile virus.
The health department is targeting seniors because people over 50 are more likely to develop serious symptoms if they get West Nile virus.
“There is no cure or available vaccine at this point,” said Catherine Sallenave, assistant county heath officer.
She has these tips to avoid mosquito bites: drain standing water; be careful at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active; DEET is an effective insect repellents; dress in long sleeves and long pants if you’re going to be where mosquitoes are active; doors and windows should have tight-fitting screens.
The fair is at the San Mateo Event Center, 2495 Delaware St. in San Mateo. For information, go to sanmateocountyfair.com.
