Increase in Beaumont Mosquito Population Prompts County Spraying Operation

BEAUMONT, CA – County health officials will deploy a truck-mounted sprayer throughout parts of Beaumont next week, in an effort to help curb the local mosquito population.

"Due to recent public complaints about mosquito bites and an increase in the number of mosquitoes trapped in the Beaumont area during routine surveillance, Riverside County will apply an ultra-low volume of a material designed to reduce adult mosquito populations in two separate areas of the city," the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health said Friday.

Officials say they will be focusing the spraying efforts in two main locations. The first is south of Palmer Avenue, and runs several hundred feet on either side of Morris Street, extending to the northwestern edge of a nearby golf course, officials say. The other area runs several hundred feet west of Veile Avenue, north about 100 feet from W. First Street and south to about Westward Avenue.

Spraying will happen Tuesday between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.-- which is when mosquitoes tend to be most active, health officials say.

"Although the product poses very little to no risk for people, some may prefer to avoid exposure," the department says. "Residents who wish to minimize exposure to themselves and pets should remain indoors and keep windows closed during ground application and for 15 minutes afterward. The amount of material sprayed is three ounces per acre, which ensures that humans, animals and crops are safe. Signs will be posted Friday along the routes informing residents about the control efforts."

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