Mosquito fogging at Meadows Saturday

City Property, the Phoenix-based management company for the Maricopa Meadows Homeowners Association, will fog for mosquitoes in the community this weekend.

Bircher Exterminating will begin fogging 10:30 p.m. Saturday, according to an email sent to homeowners. City Property said that time was chosen to reduce the risk of exposure during fogging of common areas, greenbelts and roadways.

The company recommends that, out of caution, residents close doors and windows, and bring pets indoors during treatment.

According to the email, Bircher will apply a synergized pyrethroid insecticide that delivers a quick kill of mosquitoes and other flying insects. The insecticide does not leave a residual and dissipates rapidly depending on wind and environmental conditions. If rain or winds above 10 mph are anticipated on the fogging date, service is rescheduled, the exterminator said.

The company also urged community residents to do their part on their own property to help minimize mosquito populations.

“Reducing breeding and harborage sites within your property lines can help the community as a whole,” the email continued. “Keeping bushes and trees trimmed will reduce harborage areas. Ensure there is no standing water around your property and water features are properly functioning to reduce breeding sites.

Chris Reimus, assistant director of Public Health and Environmental Health Services for Pinal County, provided tips earlier this year on how to prevent the spread of mosquitoes, saying prevention of breeding is the best method to limit mosquito numbers:

• Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
  • Be sure your property is graded to drain appropriately.
  • If you have a swimming pool or backyard pond, keep it operational. If you must keep it out of use, make sure you remove the standing water, keep it chlorinated, or run the filter daily
  • Change water in flower vases, birdbaths, planters, troughs, and animal watering pans at least twice a week. Be sure to scrub them out when changing water.
  • Get rid of junk or debris in your yard that can collect water.
  • Repair leaky pipes and faucets. If you have a swimming pool, keep it operational. If you must keep it out of use, make sure you remove the standing water, keep it chlorinated, or run the filter daily. Check for items outside the home that collect water, such as cans, bottles, jars, buckets, old tires, drums and other containers and get rid of them.