Maricopa mosquito fogging begins Sept. 2

This month’s mosquito fogging in Maricopa will take place in the early morning hours of Sept. 2 through Sept. 4.

Pinal County Environmental Health Services has announced that a mosquito trapped during routine surveillance for West Nile virus tested positive, resulting in the need to fog the area to prevent transmission of the disease to humans or animals.

Weather permitting, fogging will take place between 1- 5 a.m. on September 2, 3 and 4 in the city of Maricopa. The area to be fogged encompasses John Wayne Parkway to the east, Sage Brush Drive to the south, Green Road to the west and McDavid Road to the north.

The pesticide that will be used during fogging is called Anvil, which contains two active ingredients: Sumithrin (2%) and piperonyl butoxide (2%). Sumithrin is a man-made version of a natural pesticide found in chrysanthemum flowers. Piperonyl butoxide enhances the ability of Sumithrin to kill mosquitoes.

To reduce exposure during fogging:
§ Close all windows and doors. Air conditioners can still be operated, but if they have vents to bring in outside air, they should be closed. Turn off evaporative coolers.
§ Stay inside your home
§ If possible, bring pets inside.
§ Thirty minutes after the end of the scheduled fogging each night, you may resume normal activities.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito and can cause severe illness in people and horses, although not everyone who is infected will develop symptoms. People of all ages can be affected; however, the elderly may be more prone to serious illness.

The county has a mosquito hotline and a web page. For information on mosquito prevention and control, call: 866-287-0209, ext. 6200, or visit the West Nile virus web page at www.pinalcountyaz.gov/envhealth.

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