City Urges Preventive Steps to Avoid Mosquito Bites

With the first incident of West Nile virus detected in Ventura County appearing in Moorpark, the City has issued precautions residents can take to minimize exposure to it.

Because the virus is spread to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes, recommendations focus on avoiding the insects.

Mark Westerline, vector/animal control specialist for the City, said it is early in the year to see many mosquitoes. Larger numbers usually show up in the late summer and early fall, with bouts of hot weather.

"Really, now that we have seen it (West Nile virus), it's a question of keeping risks low," he said.

These are the City's recommendations:

• Eliminate standing water from your property to reduce mosquito breeding, including standing water in containers such as buckets, barrels, old tires, boats, ornamental ponds, and neglected swimming pools.
• Make sure exterior doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Screens should be replaced if they are torn or have holes.
• Limit outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most active, especially at dawn and dusk.
• When outdoors, wear long pants and long sleeved shirts.
• Apply insect repellents containing DEET, picaradin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, according to label instructions.
• Contact your local Vector Control Agency if you see potential sources of standing water near where you live, or if you find any dead birds or notice mosquitoes in or around your home.

To report potential mosquito-breeding sources—such as improperly maintained swimming pools and other similar water impoundments located on private property—within Moorpark, call 805-517-6267. For areas outside of Moorpark but within the County, call 805-658-4310.

Mosquito-eating fish to use in ornamental ponds and similar water features are available from the City at no charge to residents. To order fish, call 805-517-6267. Others in Ventura County can call 805-663-6582.

And finally, to help authority's with their West Nile virus surveillance efforts, the City requests members of the public report wild birds that have recently died to the State Department of Public Health at 877-968-2473.