Carson City to spray for mosquitos today

Carson City will begin spraying for mosquitos today in preparation for the probability the West Nile virus will show up for the first time in Nevada.

"We're anticipating the West Nile virus to come into the area," said Mike Faisy, senior environment health specialist for Carson City.

The mosquito-carried virus was confirmed in Los Angeles and Orange counties this week.

Carson City will use a helicopter to begin treating areas near the Carson River at the Anderson Ranch, Silver Saddle wetlands, Riverview Park and the Empire Ranch Golf Course today by spraying a sand-like substance over standing ponds and wetlands to control mosquitos.

Although counties are continuing normal mosquito control programs, the state Health Division is placing more emphasis on mosquito abatement and monitoring this year in anticipation of the virus, said Dr. Bradford Lee, state health officer.

"Cases have been reported in all the states around us," Lee said. "We want to be prepared."

Douglas County is closely monitoring a wetlands area off Johnson Lane, where sewage effluent from Incline Village is deposited, and has an airplane standing by for first detection, said Ron Lynch, manager of the county's mosquito control.

"That could possibly be an area where we could find it," Lynch said. "Birds really flock into there. I'm watching it a little bit more."

Counties try to control the mosquito population each year. Carson City and Washoe County use a helicopter to drop the sand-like substance on breeding grounds. Douglas County places briquettes in areas or uses an airplane to release pellets in pastures and wetlands, and sprays other areas.

The substances in the sand, briquettes and pellets are non-toxic and not poisonous to humans, county officials said. But to mosquitos, the chemicals stop the pests from becoming adult mosquitos that carry the virus.

Many of the springs that are usually active breeding grounds for mosquitos are still dry, which might slow the population this year, but not the virus, Faisy said.

"We haven't seen an awful lot of production yet," Faisy said. "I don't anticipate a very major mosquito season, but that may change."

One small open jar of standing water can breed enough mosquitos to infest a neighborhood block, he said. For that reason, Faisy asks Carson City residents to report standing water areas and possible mosquito breeding areas for treatment by calling 887-2190.

Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.