Mosquito Fogging Resumes

The Code Compliance Division of the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department is stepping up its annual fight against mosquitoes.

Fogging operations – the process of injecting a federally-approved insecticide into the air to kill adult mosquitoes – resumed this week. Crews are fogging neighborhoods at dusk and dawn, which are when adult mosquitoes are most active. All of El Paso County will be fogged according to a schedule that divides the community into seven zones. Weather permitting every zone will be fogged each week.

Aggressive mosquito surveillance is also resuming due to the threat of the West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. So far this year, none of the mosquitoes trapped by vector control crews have tested positive for the West Nile virus.

Citizens can do their share to reduce the mosquito population by getting rid of any standing water outside their homes and businesses. Other preventative measures include: making sure your roof gutters drain properly, keeping the vegetation in your yard trim, and keeping swimming pools clean and well chlorinated. To report mosquito breeding, call the Environmental Services Department at 774-4500.

How to Protect Yourself
Try to stay indoors during dusk and dawn, which is when mosquitoes are most active.
Cover up by wearing shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors for long periods of time or during hours when mosquitoes are most active.
Apply an insect repellent that contains DEET. On children 2 to 12 years use an insect repellent that contains 10 percent or less DEET. Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth so try not to apply them to the hands of children. For adults use products that contain no more than 35 percent DEET. Do not use DEET on infants or pregnant women.

How to Prevent Mosquito Breeding
Look around the outside of your house and get rid of any tin cans, jars, plastic containers, plant pots, old tires and any other containers that can hold stagnant water.
Properly dispose of old tires.
Make sure roof gutters drain properly.
Keep swimming pools clean and well chlorinated.
Store plastic wading pools, buckets, barrels and wheelbarrows upside down so that water cannot accumulate in them.
Change the water in birdbaths and pet dishes at least once a week.
Aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.
Keep your yard trimmed. Weeds, tall grass and shrubbery provide mosquitoes with shelter.
Use landscape as a way to prevent accumulation of stagnant water.