WEST NILE VIRUS INFECTED MOSQUITOES FOUND
Four Cities in Scheduled Fogging Zone
New Method of Resident Notification Used
Three traps containing West Nile virus (WNV) infected mosquitoes has prompted the Vector Control District (“the District”) to schedule fogging next week in a single zone at the juncture of Saratoga, Campbell, San Jose and Los Gatos. The infected mosquitoes were caught in traps set in the areas of Quito Road and Devon Avenue, Quito Road and Sousa Lane, and Halifax.
Weather permitting, fogging will occur on Wednesday, August 22, beginning at 11:00 PM. The fogging zone covers approximately 2 ½ square miles and is bordered by: Harriet Avenue & Fenian Drive on the East; Saratoga Avenue, Fruitvale Avenue and Saratoga Creek Drive on the West; Campbell Avenue and Kosich Drive on the North; and on the South, Pollard Road, Chester Avenue and the south end of West Valley College.
For a map of the fogging zone, click here.
A portion of Wednesday’s fogging zone includes an area fogged on August 1.
Residents in the fogging zone are invited to attend an informational open house to be held in the Saratoga North Campus Administrative Building Multipurpose Room, 19848 Prospect Road, on Tuesday, August 21 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 PM.
Fogging is done by a truck mounted unit that applies 5 grams (approximately the weight of a nickel) of organic insecticide (botanical pyrethrin) in front of an average house or less than ½ oz per acre. The fog consists of very small droplets that spread approximately 300 feet. This procedure is known as ULV for “ultra-low volume”.
This procedure was designed in the 1960s to kill the most mosquitoes with the least insecticide by applying droplets of exactly the right size.
The product used for fogging is Pyrenone 25-5, Public Health Insecticide, which contains Pyrethrin, a common ingredient in pet flea shampoos and sprays, as well as head lice control products for children.
For a copy of the product label, click here.
For a copy of the product material safety data sheet, click here.
Fogging normally occurs between 11:00 PM and 4:30 AM.
Residents do not need to take any special precautions before or after the fogging. Pyrenone leaves no residue, and is not harmful to fruit trees, vegetables or automobile paint.
Although mosquito control pesticides pose low risks, some people may prefer to avoid or further minimize exposure. Some common sense steps to help reduce possible exposure to pesticides include:
• Remain indoors during applications in the immediate area.
• People who suffer from chemical sensitivities or feel spraying may aggravate a preexisting health condition, may consult their physician and take special measures to avoid exposure.
• Close windows and turn off window-unit air conditioners when spraying is taking place in the immediate area.
• Keep children's toys indoors.
• Cover outdoor fish ponds
Since the Pyrenone dissipates in a few hours, it is not necessary to wash off outdoor furniture or playground equipment before use.
In an effort to alert residents within the fogging zone in an effective and timely manner, the District has hired a private mailing company to deliver notices door to door on Saturday, August 18. A copy of the notice can be found below.
This is the first time the District has ever tried this method of notification. It not only gives the District the ability to contact everyone within a specific area; but every house and business will receive notification on the same day.
Residents may sign up for e-mail notification of WNV activity, including scheduled foggings by going to the District’s homepage and entering their e-mail address in the yellow Yahoo box.
Residents may also call the District’s WNV recorded hot line, at 800-314-2427 for up to date information.
Residents throughout the County are still requested to report dead birds, tree squirrels and jack rabbits to the State Dead Bird Hotline, by calling 877-968-2473 or by going to the State’s website at http://westnile.ca.gov/report_wnv.php for online reporting.
Residents are urged to use insect repellent whenever they are outdoors and when mosquitoes are most active, normally between dusk and dawn.
Other steps residents can take to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes are:
- When outdoors, wear long sleeved shirts and long pants
- Ensure door and window screens are in good repair to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes
- Call the District for free mosquito-eating fish for water sources on their property, such as ponds, troughs, and decorative fountains
- Dump or drain standing water in buckets, rain gutters and other containers
- Contact the District to report mosquito problems or green pools/spas.
To date, 2 human cases of WNV have been reported in Santa Clara County, as well as 46 infected birds, 8 groups of infected mosquitoes and 3 infected tree squirrels.
Statewide there have been 108 WNV human cases and 5 fatalities reported.
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