Staff Report

   The Solano County Mosquito Abatement District (Solmad) will be working to thin the mosquito population near Benicia State Recreation Area on Monday, the city announced.

   Between 6 and 7:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6, Solmad officials will be doing an area application of larvicide by helicopter on the south side of Interstate 780 running into Southampton Bay near the State Recreation Area. The park will be closed during this time, and advance notice will be given starting Friday. The goal is to diminish the number of mosquitoes who may be carrying diseases.

   “”In addition to causing severe annoyance and allergic reaction, mosquitoes found in California are capable of spreading many diseases to humans and animals including Chikungunya, Dengue, Filariasis (canine and feline heartworm), Malaria, Saint Louis encephalitis (SLE), West Nile virus (WNV), Western Equine encephalitis (WEE), Yellow fever and Zika,” the Mosquito Vector and Control Association of California (MVCAC) wrote in a statement. 

   People are advised to prevent mosquito populations from growing by eliminating breeding sources, such as standing water as mosquitos can lay eggs in such sources. The MVCAC recommends emptying water found in items like flower pots, old tires, children’s toys and buckets. Residents are also advised to clean and change birdbaths at least once a week, ensure that rain barrels are properly covered to prevent mosquitoes from entering and fill ornamental ponds and water troughs with mosquitofish. 

   Additionally, people are advised to wear mosquito repellant with ingredients like DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus, ensure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and no tears or holes and refrain from outdoor activities during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are at their peak biting period. For more information, go to http://www.mvcac.org/vectors-and-public-health/prevention-protection/. 

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