UPDATE: An earlier version of this press release indicated the application was on Wednesday, July 14. The correct day is Thursday, July 15. We apologize for the error.

July 13, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – On Thursday, July 15, the Washoe County Health District – Vector Borne Disease Program (VBD) will be conducting aerial larvicide applications starting in the North Valleys and finishing along the southern end of Washoe County covering approximately 800 acres. The main areas of focus will include the North Valleys, Swan Lake, South Meadows, Double Diamond, Damonte Ranch and Washoe Valley Areas.

Aerial larviciding is done by helicopter and targets areas with dense mosquito larvae in the water or wetlands to hinder their ability to grow into full-sized biting adults. The main way West Nile virus is transmitted to humans is through mosquitoes. Aerial larviciding is environmentally friendly and done by dropping non-liquid granular products with the goal of maintaining safe recreational environments in Washoe County.

Larviciding has no effects on pets or humans who are in those areas at that time of application. Aerial larviciding specifically targets areas such as wetlands and other water sources adjacent to public access, housing and other population sources. For further information regarding mosquito control, maps, live updates and the chemicals used please visit the VBD page. More info here.

The Washoe County Health District is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making Washoe County District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.