District will take to the air to search out abandoned pools

NEWMAN – The warm weather has mosquito-fighters gearing up their annual campaign against the insect, which will include taking a birds-eye look at back yards to search out abandoned pools that could serve as breeding grounds.

Jerry Davis, general manager of the Turlock Mosquito Abatement which serves the West Side of Stanislaus County, said the district will use a flying service to look for potential breeding sources from the air.

“We can’t get into every back yard, but by using the aircraft we can take a look, and then go to the ones where we suspect mosquitoes may be breeding,” Davis explained. “Last year we found about 400 suspicious-looking pools, and of those we found mosquitoes breeding in 10-15 percent.”

The aerial surveillance could begin as early as this week, he added. Davis said planes will fly at about 5,000 feet – an altitude which allows for sufficient detail in identifying potential problem pools without infringing on personal privacy.

Backyard mosquito sources will be a priority for the district this year, Davis added.

Unattended hot tubs are often a culprit, he explained, because the water they hold stagnates more quickly than a pool. Ornamental ponds and abandoned pools are other sources of mosquito problems – as are small containers holding water.

“We have already treated a few pools in the Newman area,” he said. “Not only are we seeing the pools, but we are also starting to see ‘tree hole’ mosquitoes starting to emerge from cavities in trees that hold water. There are some areas in Newman where we see those types of mosquitoes.”

As the weather turns warmer, mosquitoes will become more prevalent.

“Around town, people will probably notice more mosquitoes. We would like to have people call us if that is the case,” he stressed. “We depend on the public’s input, and providing us information. It is a partnership.”

The district has also started monitoring for the presence of the West Nile virus. None has been found in the area so far this year.

The virus was detected last year in a small number of samples near the San Joaquin River, but not in Newman proper.

“We did a lot more spraying last year in the wetlands and China Island to keep the mosquitoes from coming into town,” Davis noted. “We plan on doing basically the same thing this year.”

That does not mean the virus is not present – and one concern is that the public will become complacent toward the virus risk posed by mosquitoes.

“People are not reporting dead birds like they should (an indicator that the virus is present in an area). If a dead bird tests positive, we know to do more surveillance in that area. It helps reduce their risk if we know that,” Davis explained. “People don’t think that (West Nile) will happen to them, so they don’t always take the precautions they should.”

Mosquito abatement officials stress the importance of reporting dead birds and mosquito outbreaks, of removing any sources of standing water from property and of wearing protective clothing and insect repellent when outdoors while mosquitoes are active.

The district will assist residents who are having trouble maintaining their pools, Davis pointed out, and will provide mosquito fish for use in ornamental ponds and watering troughs.

He also strongly encourages that horses be vaccinated against the virus.

When it comes to the outlook for 2008, Davis reflected, “We are hoping for little activity, but we are prepared for the worst.”

The Turlock Mosquito Abatement District can be reached at 634-1234.

The toll-free number for reporting a dead bird is 877-968-2473.