Mosquito fogging set for Maricopa next week

Pinal County Environmental Health Services announced Friday mosquito fogging will be conducted in Maricopa 1 to 5 a.m. Wednesday through Friday.

The area to be fogged is bounded by Mobile Road to the north, Green Road to the west, Bowlin Road to the south and John Wayne Parkway to the east (including Acacia Crossings and Maricopa Meadows).

Residents can take action 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, residents may resume normal activities.

Mosquitoes 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. So far this year, Pinal County has not had a human case of West Nile virus.

The pesticide that will be used during fogging is called Anvil. It is a pre-mixed, ready-to-use product containing two active ingredients: Sumithrin (2 percent and piperonyl butoxide (2 percent). Sumithrin is a man-made version of a natural pesticide found in chrysanthemum flowers. Piperonyl butoxide enhances the ability of Sumithrin to kill mosquitoes. Anvil is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is effective against the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus 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.

***ADVERTISEMENT***County health officials urge all county residents to “Fight the Bite” and follow these simple personal precautions to avoid mosquitoes and the diseases they may carry:

• Avoid outside activity between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. If you must be outdoors when mosquitoes are active, wear lightweight clothing covering your arms and legs and use an insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient such as DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Follow the directions on the label.

• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and remain closed. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

• Eliminate mosquito-breeding sites around the home by removing standing water in potted plants, tires, bird baths and other containers where water may collect.

• Ensure swimming pools and decorative water features are properly maintained.

• Change water in flowerpots, birdbaths and pet watering bowls located outdoors at least twice per week.

The county has a mosquito hotline and a webpage. If you would like information on mosquito prevention and control, please call: 866-287-0209, ext. 6200, or visit the West Nile virus webpage.