The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District plans to conduct mosquito-control spraying in parts of Fullerton and La Habra from Wednesday, September 30, through Friday, October 2, in response to mosquito activity and the risk of mosquito-borne disease.
The treatments are scheduled between midnight and 5:30 a.m. and will be conducted by truck using DeltaGard, a mosquito-control product registered for use by the district.
The district uses adulticides to rapidly reduce populations of adult mosquitoes when mosquito numbers are high or when there is an increased risk of disease transmission. According to the district, spraying may be conducted from trucks, backpacks, helicopters or airplanes, depending on conditions and the area being treated.
The decision to use adulticide treatments is based on mosquito surveillance and evidence of mosquito-borne disease activity. The district says chemical control of adult mosquitoes may be necessary when other control methods cannot keep mosquito populations below tolerable levels or when emergency measures are needed to reduce disease transmission.
The district uses both larvicides and adulticides as part of its mosquito-control program. Larvicides target mosquitoes while they are developing in water, while adulticides target mosquitoes after they emerge as adults. The district says most mosquito-control efforts in Orange County focus on larviciding, but adulticides are used in certain circumstances.
The scheduled Fullerton and La Habra treatment is a truck-based application using DeltaGard. The district’s product information lists DeltaGard among the adult mosquito-control products it uses.
Treatment could be postponed because of unfavorable weather or operational delays. If mosquito numbers remain elevated or disease activity continues, additional treatments may be conducted during the remainder of the mosquito-biting season.
The district says residents do not have to close their doors or windows during spraying. According to its frequently asked questions, the spray is designed for use on and over outdoor residential and recreational areas and dissipates from treated areas and degrades in sunlight.
Residents who want to reduce their pets’ exposure can keep them indoors during spraying, although the district says the products are not harmful to pets when used according to the label.
The district also recommends eliminating standing water around homes and workplaces because mosquitoes need water to complete the first three stages of their life cycle.
Treatment Details
Where: Designated areas of Fullerton and La Habra
When: Wednesday–Friday, Sept. 30–Oct. 2
Time: Midnight–5:30 a.m.
Method: Truck-mounted mosquito treatment
Product: DeltaGard
Additional treatments: If mosquito numbers remain elevated or disease activity continues, treatments may continue during the mosquito-biting season.
The shaded area on the accompanying map indicates the planned application area
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