PALO ALTO – The Palo Alto flood basin is set to be sprayed later this week for an aggressive species of mosquito known to travel up to 20 miles in search of a “blood meal,” officials said.
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Beginning around 7:30 a.m. Thursday, the Santa Clara County Vector Control District plans to use a helicopter to treat the area with naturally occurring microbes and a hormone regulator that prevents immature winter salt marsh mosquitoes from developing into adults. The operation is expected to take a few hours to complete.
The insects – also known as aedes squamiger – are “opportunistic feeders and aggressive biters,” according to the district.
District Manager Dr. Nayer Zahiri said her agency regularly inspects the area and has done treatments by hand, but recent rains have created pockets of water that cannot be reached by foot.
“If we don’t act soon, the mosquito larvae in the marsh will mature into biting adult mosquitoes.” Zahiri said. The operation, she added, will significantly reduce the mosquito population and prevent adults from venturing into neighboring communities.
According to the district, the microbes and hormone regulators do not last long in the environment and are not used in doses large enough to harm beneficial insects, wildlife or humans.
Trails surrounding the flood basin will be closed due to the helicopter possibly making low-altitude passes, the district said. They will reopen after the operation is completed.
