Mosquito Control & West Nile Virus

The summer monsoons bring rain that we need but the mosquitoes also need it for breeding. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in tree holes and containers such as old tires, buckets, toys, potted plant trays and saucers, bird baths, fountains, wading pools, pet water dishes, plastic covers or tarps, or any other thing that can hold water. It only takes 3 days for mosquitoes to transform from eggs to "biting" adults.

You can help fight mosquitoes by eliminating their breeding grounds.

• Empty standing water from containers after each rain event
• Check and eliminate places that accumulate water after irrigating your yard
• Keep fountains operating or drain the water
• Keep swimming pools treated and circulating
• Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets
• Check air conditioning drain hoses to ensure water is not pooling
• Replace your outdoor lights with yellow "bug lights"

Who is responsible for mosquito control?

The best way to eliminate mosquitoes is to eliminate their breeding sites. Residents, businesses, homeowner's associations, and municipalities are all responsible for eliminating and preventing mosquito breeding on property they own, occupy, or are responsible for maintaining.

The Town of Gilbert's mosquito control program oversees the treatment and elimination of mosquito breeding areas only at its municipal parks, facilities, groundwater recharge and wildlife habitats, and Town operated retention basin areas. The Town provides fogging and larvacide treatment applications in these areas only twice per week, from April 1st through October 31st annually. The fogging operations take place during night time hours by certified using a product that is safe around humans and animals.

On those evenings that wind or rain prohibits fogging at the Town's designated treatment areas, the contractor will retry the next evening. If the weather is prohibitive again on that night, the contractor will resume on the next normally scheduled evening.

• The Town of Gilbert is striving to improve the effectiveness of our fogging. To reduce the potential for chemical resistance in mosquitos, Gilbert's contractor will alternate fogging EPA approved Fyfanon ULV and Kontrol 4-4.
• Mosquito infestation observed at municipal parks and/or riparian preserves can be reported by filling out an on-line mosquito infestation or standing water request form. You may also call 480-503-6400 (Monday through Thursday, 7am-6pm) and a customer service representative will be happy to assist you.
• Residential areas in Gilbert are no longer included under the Town's mosquito fogging program. If your subdivision or area is having problems with mosquitoes, please contact the Maricopa County Vector Control Hotline at 602-506-6616.

Are mosquito problems also linked to dry wells?

A dry well that is not functioning properly can lead to improper drainage and the flooding of the area surrounding the dry well.

The resulting standing water can become a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can have a serious impact on the health, comfort, and economic welfare of people. Generally, a body of water that stands for more than three days will produce mosquitoes. In addition to inoperable dry wells, mosquito breeding sites can be caused by irrigated or poorly leveled yards and retention basins, bird baths, decorative ponds, improperly maintained swimming pools, and flood control drainage areas.

Chapter III, Regulation 2, of the Maricopa County Health Code states:
"No person shall cause, maintain, or within his control, permit any accumulation of water in which mosquitoes breed or are likely to breed. The owner, occupant, or person in control of any place where mosquitoes are breeding, or which constitutes a breeding place for mosquitoes shall take all necessary and proper steps to eliminate the mosquito breeding and to prevent its recurrence . . ."

What can you do to prevent mosquito breeding?

Get rid of all unnecessary standing water. Repair all broken sprinkler systems or other water leaks that may be causing or contributing to standing water. Fill in low spots and level areas within retention basins. Last, repair and properly maintain dry wells that exist on your property.

Questions?

Dry wells - Town of Gilbert's Environmental Programs Division at (480) 503-6421
Town of Gilbert's mosquito control program - Wastewater Division at (480) 503-6439
County mosquito control requirements - Maricopa County Vector Control at (602) 506-0700
Green (stagnant) swimming pools - Maricopa County Vector Control at (602) 506-0700

Areas Fogged & Treated With Larvacide For Mosquitoes By The Town of Gilbert

Cosmo Park
Crossroads Park
Discovery Park
Freestone Park
Hetchler Soccer Park (Gilbert Youth Soccer Complex)
Madera Park (Park Improvement District)
McQueen Park
Neely Recharge Facility
Nichols Park
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch Recharge Facility
South Recharge Facility
Val Vista Park (Park Improvement District)
Vaughn Retention Basin

Information about West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a virus that is transmitted by mosquito bites. It can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). Only an estimated 1-3% of WNV infections, result in serious disease. Most people who are infected will show no symptoms at all, or have mild flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever and body aches. Rarely do symptoms get more severe.

For more information on West Nile Virus

• CDC website
• Maricopa County Public Health website
• Call the West Nile Virus Public Information Hotline: 602-747-7500

Maricopa County Environmental Services Department maintains a year round mosquito surveillance program for West Nile Virus (WNV). Their surveillance activities indicate that WNV activity in Gilbert has been unusually active. The numbers appear to reflect more activity than previous years and could be a result of winter rains and other factors. As of July 2010, Maricopa County Public Health has 17 confirmed cases and 2 deaths from WNV in Maricopa County, most from the East Valley.

Prevention Tips

Avoid outside activities between dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
Wear lightweight clothing that covers your arms and legs and use insect repellent if you must be outdoors when mosquitoes are active. Always follow directions on the label.
Make sure doors and windows have tight fitting screens and remain closed.
Eliminate mosquito-breeding sites around your home or business by removing standing water in potted plants, tires, bird baths and other containers where water may collect.
Ensure that swimming pools and decorative water features are properly maintained.
Change water in flowerpots, bird baths and pet watering bowls located outdoors twice per week.

West Nile Virus can cause severe illness in people. Twenty percent of those infected will develop flu-like symptoms including; fever, headache, body aches, rash and muscle weakness. Some people, especially the elderly may experience more severe symptoms including high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and/or encephalitis or inflammation of the brain.

If you become aware of a green pool or other mosquito breeding site please report the site to 480-503-6439 or to Maricopa County at 602-506-6616. If Maricopa County has treated the pool you will find a public notice on the front door or window.

Dead Bird Surveillance

Because WNV causes death in birds, dead birds can be the first warning of WNV activity in an area. Since WNV is spread by mosquitoes feeding on infected birds, Maricopa County will be testing dead bird specimens for the presence of WNV.

The County will record and analyze dead bird reports, which will be used to identify areas for intensified surveillance of virus activity including bird testing, mosquito trapping and active disease surveillance.

If you should find a dead bird please report it to the County’s Complaint Line Links out of Town of Gilbert website or call 602-506-6616.

Upon submitting a report, citizens will be advised of the delivery process.

Please note these guidelines:

The bird must be freshly dead (less than 24 hours)
Not scavenged, no odor, no maggots, ants or other insects
Body must NOT be soft and mushy
Must NOT be a baby bird
Must NOT be a pigeon
Must NOT be a dove

• Birds must be kept chilled.
• Do not freeze. Freezing will kill the virus, if the virus is present.
• When handling the bird, please use gloves or the inverted plastic bag method.