Spraying Scheduled This Week To Tackle Mosquitoes In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Due to recent positive West Nile virus mosquito test sample results in Riverside County, spraying is scheduled this week in Nuevo to reduce the insect's numbers.

From approximately 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, spraying will take place in three areas:

1. A five-acre area near Mystic Field. The location is bordered by Reservoir Avenue to the north, Orange Street to the east, Lakeview Avenue to the south, and Magnolia Avenue to the west.

2. A 172-acre area near West Nuevo that is bordered by 9th Street to the north, Yucca Avenue to the east, 10th Street to the south, and Reservoir Avenue to the west.

3. A 77-acre area near East Nuevo, bordered by Reservoir Avenue to the north, 5th Street to the east, E. Lakeview Avenue to the south, and 6th Street to the west.

The Riverside County Vector Control Program is conducting the operation using "an ultra-low volume ground application using truck-mounted sprayers."

According to the agency, the EPA-approved mosquito control product to be used is Zenivex E4 RTU.

"The product is applied according to label instructions by trained and certified technicians," according to county vector control. "Although the product poses very low to no risk, some people may prefer to avoid exposure. To minimize exposure, residents and pets should remain indoors and keep windows closed during and for 15 minutes following ground application."

In addition to Thursday's spraying, vector control said it is intensifying mosquito surveillance, searching for breeding sites, and conducting larval control where appropriate.

This week's spraying will be the second time for the area since July 31, when the exact same spaces were targeted.

Two human WNV infections have been documented in Riverside County so far this year. Additionally, statewide, seven infections have been recorded to date in 2024, according to the California Department of Public Health. One of those, in Northern California, resulted in a fatal outcome.

In 2023, 21 human WNV infections were documented in Riverside County, none of which resulted in fatalities. No cases were documented in 2022, according to the county Emergency Management Department.

Vector control officials said Riverside County residents can take the following actions to help eliminate mosquitoes from their community:

• Apply insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535, to clothes and exposed skin according to label instructions. Repellents keep mosquitoes from biting. It is important to follow EPA and CDC guidelines for the safe use of repellents on children.
• Dress in long sleeves and pants, especially if outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes that can spread West Nile virus are most active.
• Install screens on windows and doors and keep them in good repair to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
• Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flowerpots, old tires, buckets, pet dishes, and trash cans. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in very small amounts of standing water.
• Repair leaking faucets and broken sprinklers that can contribute to standing water around your home.
• Clean rain gutters clogged with leaves, which can also contribute to standing water.

For additional information on protecting yourself and your community from mosquitoes, visit Riverside County Environmental Health Vector Control Mosquito Surveillance and Treatment webpage.