Coachella Valley Starts 8-Day Mosquito Spraying After West Nile Virus Detection
Updated
Updated · kuna noticias y kuna radio · Jun 1
Coachella Valley Starts 8-Day Mosquito Spraying After West Nile Virus Detection
3 articles · Updated · kuna noticias y kuna radio · Jun 1
Truck-mounted larvicide spraying will run from 1-7 a.m. starting Saturday in Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs and North Shore, with seven additional treatment dates scheduled through Oct. 3.
A West Nile virus-positive mosquito sample collected near Avenue 72 and Cleveland Street triggered the campaign, which officials said is aimed at curbing mosquito-borne disease spread across the valley.
The district will use Wide Area Larvicide Spraying, a method that pushes low-volume larvicide with high air flow to reach small, hard-to-find breeding sites where water collects.
Officials said the OMRI-rated organic product is not expected to harm people, pets, other insects or honeybees, as the valley enters a longer mosquito-control season.
The organic larvicide is deemed safe, but what are the hidden long-term costs to the desert's delicate ecosystem?
If outbreaks can be predicted a year in advance, why does vector control still rely on reactive spraying measures?