High Number of Mosquitoes in Murrieta Prompt Spraying Operation

Mosquito eradication operations were planned Wednesday night in Murrieta, after a "high number" of the insects have recently been caught in the area.

The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health said they would be conducting "ultra-low volume" spraying in areas where mosquito populations, possibly carrying West Nile virus, are a growing risk to humans and animals.

Spray treatments were concentrated in the area of Ivy Street and Manista Way, northeast of New Clay Street, between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. That's when mosquitoes are most active, county officials say.

Anti-mosquito spraying involves the use of chemicals approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to county Department of Environmental Health spokeswoman Dottie Merki.

"The products are applied according to label instructions by trained and certified technicians," Merki said in a press release. "Although the products pose very low to no risk, some people may prefer to avoid exposure."

Pesticides are emitted as a mist dispersed from machines anchored in the back of pickup trucks. Officials recommend that during the spraying, residents stay indoors and keep windows closed until at least 15 minutes after the trucks have left the area to minimize exposure.

Anti-mosquito operations have also taken place over the last several months in Coachella and Mecca.

No human West Nile infections have been reported so far this year. However, in 2015, several residents in western Riverside County died from complications related to WNV.

An online map showing WNV hotspots is available here: http://www.rivcoph.org/Home/We... .

Mosquitoes typically become carriers of the virus after feeding on an infected bird and can then spread the potentially lethal strain to animals and humans.

Those at greatest risk include seniors and individuals with compromised immune systems.

Symptoms may never materialize, but can include fever, headache, nausea, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes.

Mosquito season in Southern California generally spans the months of May to October. To reduce exposure to West Nile virus, residents are urged to:

• spend as little time as possible outdoors at dawn or dusk, when mosquitoes are generally on the move
• wear pants and long-sleeved shirts during outdoor activity
• use insect repellent
• ensure door and window screens are fitted properly to keep bugs out
• get rid of standing water, aside from pools properly treated with chemicals

Anyone with concerns about WNV can contact the Department of Environmental Health at (951) 766-9454.

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– City News Service contributed to this report. Image via Shutterstock.