Do bats serve as an effective mosquito control?Bats in temperate areas of the world are almost exclusively insectivorous. Food items identified in their diet are primarily beetles, wasps, and moths…
What can be done to reduce risk of viruses in the Coachella Valley?The best line of defense is to protect yourself from being bitten (e.g., using repellents, ensuring window and door screens have no holes, and wearing…
What if I think that I am experiencing an adverse reaction to pesticide spraying?If you believe you may be experiencing any health effects from pesticides, call your health care provider. If symptoms are severe, call 911 for…
If I am a beekeeper, should I take special precautions to protect the bees before or after aerial spraying?We do not anticipate negative impacts on honey bee colonies since the aerial spraying takes place at night. If bees are congregating outside the hive…
Even if no precautions are required, are there extra steps people can choose to take if they are still concerned?Although not necessary, steps that can be followed in areas where aerial spraying is scheduled to take place include:
Are there precautions I should take if spraying will occur in my area?Although mosquito control pesticides and the techniques pose low risk to people, to ensure the maximum impact of the operation the District recommends…
Can adulticides harm insects or wildlife?The products we use are targeted to control flying adult mosquitoes. Adult mosquitoes are most active at night whereas beneficial insects - such as…
How is aerial spraying conducted?Ultra-low volume (ULV) adult mosquito treatments by helicopter are applied in areas with strong virus activity that has been detected multiple times.
When are spraying insecticides considered?Our mission is to protect the community from mosquito-borne diseases. When mosquito populations increase, the risk of local transmission is higher…
What does it mean to find a positive mosquito samples?The District regularly traps and tests mosquitoes throughout the Coachella Valley.
Which repellent works best?N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) remains the standard and most effective. There are a variety of mosquito repellents on the market both chemical…
What do I do if I find a dead bird?When a bird dies, there is a short window to test for WNV. The virus immediately starts to break down after death which makes birds that are dead for…
Do birds show symptoms of West Nile virus?Research indicates birds have somewhat similar symptoms to people. Studies done with crows indicate that when crows are infected they have difficulty…
