Banning Scheduled For Mosquito Control :What To Know

BANNING, CA — Riverside County vector control officials will conduct anti-mosquito spraying Wednesday and Thursday in Moreno Valley and Banning to eradicate growing infestations that pose a potential risk to public health.

The Department of Environmental Health has scheduled "ultra-low volume" insecticide spraying between 4 and 7 a.m. Wednesday in Moreno Valley. The operation will cover a 348-acre space bordered by Greenridge Drive to the north, Country Gate Road to the south, Pigeon Pass Road to the east and Sunnybrook Drive to the west.

A second area, covering 400 acres, will also be the focus of spraying in the city, bordered by Cougar Canyon to the north, Swan Street to the south, Pigeon Pass to the west and Heacock Street to the east.

On Thursday, spraying is scheduled in Banning, again between 4 and 7 a.m.

The spray zone will encompass the Sun Lakes Country Club, bordered by Breckenridge Avenue to the north, Sun Lakes Boulevard to the south, Highland Springs Avenue to the east and South Highland Home Road to the west.

According to Department of Environmental Health Deputy Director Kristin Lorge, mosquitoes that were recently netted in the areas tested positive for West Nile virus, raising concerns about the potential for it to be transmitted.

Anti-mosquito spraying involves the use of chemicals approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Pesticides are emitted as a mist dispersed from machines anchored in the backs of pickup trucks. Lorge recommended that during operations, residents stay indoors and keep windows closed until at least 15 minutes after the trucks have departed.

Four human WNV infections have been documented in Riverside County so far this year. Statewide, there have been 153 confirmed infections, resulting in six fatalities, according to the California Department of Public Health.

In 2020, there were 10 confirmed human cases in Riverside County, and three in 2021, according to the Emergency Management Department. No cases were documented in 2022.

Mosquitoes typically become carriers of the virus after feeding on an infected bird and can then spread the potentially lethal strain to animals and humans. Those at greatest risk include seniors and individuals with compromised immune systems.

Symptoms may never materialize, but can include fever, headache, nausea, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes.

Mosquito season in Southern California generally spans May to October. To reduce exposure to mosquitoes with WNV, residents were reminded to:

-- spend as little time as possible outdoors at dawn or dusk, when mosquitoes are generally on the move;

-- wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts during outdoor activity in mosquito-prone areas;

-- use insect repellent;

-- ensure door and window screens are fitted properly to keep bugs out; and

-- get rid of standing water, aside from pools properly treated with chemicals.

Anyone with concerns should contact the Department of Environmental Health at 951-766-9454.