Mosquito fogging scheduled for parts of Maricopa

In response to mosquito surveillance data obtained in the area, the Pinal County Division of Environmental Health will be conducting adult mosquito fogging in the City of Maricopa. Fogging will take place between 12:01 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Monday, May 1, through Wednesday, May 3, 2006.

The area to be fogged encompasses Bowlin Road to the south, Green Road to the west, McDavid Road to the north and John Wayne Parkway to the east. There has been no detection of West Nile virus, Western Equine encephalitis or St. Louis encephalitis in mosquito samples collected during the 2006 mosquito season in Pinal County. The planned fogging activities are being conducted to reduce the number of adult pest mosquitoes.

The pesticide that will be used during spraying is called Anvil 2+2. It is a pre-mixed, ready-to-use product that 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 helps Sumithrin work better against mosquitoes. Anvil 2+2 is registered with the U.S. EPA and is effective against mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus. There are several things that residents can do to reduce their exposure during spraying:

* 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. Vents can be opened 30 minutes after spraying is done.
* Turn off Evaporative coolers until at least 30 minutes after spraying.
* Stay inside your home.
* Bring pets in side and wait for at least 30 minutes to let them back outside.
* Bring children’s toys, pet bowls, and clothes inside. (Note: out door equipment and toys that are exposed to pesticide can be washed with soap and water.)
* Do not allow children to play in areas that have just been sprayed for at least 30 minutes. For extra safety, don’t let children play on the grass until it is dry to the touch.
* If you have fruit trees or a vegetable garden wash fruits and vegetables before eating.

PCDEH advises all county residents to avoid exposure to mosquitoes and the illnesses they may carry by taking the following simple precautions and preventative measures:

* Avoid outside activity between dusk and dawn, the peak biting hours for many species of mosquitoes.
* If you must be out, wear lightweight clothing that covers your arms and legs and apply an insect repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient such as DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin and clothing (always follow the directions on the label).
* Make sure doors and windows have tight fitting screens, that they are in good repair and your home is “bug tight.”
* Drain all standing water so mosquitoes don’t have a place to breed. Check ornamental ponds, clogged rain gutters, old tires, cooler and air-conditioning drains, leaky hose bibs and irrigation equipment, birdbaths, plant saucers, hot tub covers and other sites around your yard that might collect water.
* Change water in flowerpots, birdbaths and pet watering bowls located outdoors at least twice per week.

The County has a mosquito hotline and a web page. If you would like an update and advice on WNV, please call toll-free: (866) 287-0209, ext. 6200, or visit the WNV web page. If you would like additional information on West Nile virus disease, please call the Pinal County Public Health hotline toll-free: (866) 763-7252.