California Mosquito Awareness Week highlights need to prepare for spring, summer mosquitoes

San Gabriel Valley, Calif. (April 16, 2020) - The increased attention on COVID-19 is a reminder of the many ways people can protect themselves from other public health concerns, including viruses spread through mosquito bites.

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District (SGVMVCD) joins mosquito control programs across the state to promote California Mosquito Awareness Week, April 19-25. This statewide campaign empowers residents to prevent mosquitoes year-round.

Mosquito control officials encourage residents under Safer-at-Home orders in Los Angeles County to take this opportunity to curb mosquito populations around the home.

"Do not give mosquitoes a biting chance when the weather warms," said Levy Sun, San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District (SGVMVCD) public information officer. "Eliminating stagnant water now can stop mosquitoes from becoming a public health issue later."

Take 10 minutes to tip out stagnant water and toss any unused containers around the home," said Sun. "The window of opportunity to shut out mosquitoes is right now."

Vector control experts advise residents take the following steps to bite back against mosquitoes:

-Tip out stagnant water found in containers, including flower pots, old tires, buckets, saucers, and pet dishes.
-Toss out unused containers to prevent mosquitoes from growing.
-Protect against bites by applying insect repellent containing EPA-registered active ingredients, including DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Always read label instructions.
-Install screens on windows and doors, and keep them in good repair.
-Report neglected swimming pools to mosquito and vector control.

If, after dumping stagnant water, residents continue to experience mosquito problems, they can submit a tip to SGVMVCD.

In response to year-round mosquito-borne disease threats, SGVMVCD's programs continue its efforts to reduce mosquito populations.

SGVMVCD paused in-person programs due to COVID-19 health orders, but staff will control mosquitoes in public sources, such as gutters, channels and storm drains.
The surveillance staff traps mosquitoes and sends samples of adult mosquitoes to be tested for diseases, such as West Nile virus and St. Louis Encephalitis.
Outreach and education will continue to remind everyone to take preventative measures against mosquitoes.

San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District
1145 N. Azusa Canyon Road, West Covina, CA 91790
Media Contact: Levy Sun, lsun@sgvmosquito.org

SGVMVCD is one of five vector control districts in Los Angeles County. Year-round, the agency monitors stagnant water sources, such as gutters, storm drains, channels and non-functional swimming pools. The agency also routinely monitors populations of adult mosquitoes using traps and tests groups of adult female mosquitoes for the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) and other mosquito-borne diseases. In addition, submitting wild birds, such as crows, for testing can provide insight into the spread of WNV.

This release was published on openPR.