Health District – Vector Borne Disease Program to conduct aerial larviciding Thursday, Aug. 19

Aug 18, 2021

Aug. 18, 2021. Reno/Sparks, Nev. The Washoe County Health District (WCHD) – Vector Borne Disease Program (VBD) will be conducting aerial larviciding applications on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. Aerial treatment will begin in the North Valleys and end in the southern portion of Washoe County covering approximately 800 acres.

Aerial larviciding is done by helicopter and targets areas with dense mosquito larvae in the water or wetlands to hinder their ability to grow into full-sized biting adults. The main way West Nile virus is transmitted to humans is through mosquitoes. Aerial larviciding is environmentally friendly and done by dropping non-liquid granular products with the goal of maintaining safe recreational environments in Washoe County.

The main areas of focus will include the North Valleys, Swan Lake, South Meadows, Double Diamond, Damonte Ranch and Washoe Valley Areas.

Larviciding has no effects on pets or humans who are in those areas at that time of application. Aerial larviciding specifically targets areas such as wetlands and other water sources adjacent to public access, housing, and other population sources. For further information regarding mosquito control, maps, live updates, and the chemicals used please visit the VBD page.

Check the WCHD – VBD website for more information on mosquito treatment, source reduction, preventative measures, and live updates.

Video: To see a video of mosquito abatement in progress, click here.

Media: For interviews and b-roll opportunities, contact Scott Oxarart, soxarart@washoecounty.us

The Washoe County Health District is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making Washoe County District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.