Concord Gets Fogged For Mosquitoes

It may be November, but summer's mosquitoes are still lingering — and causing a heath threat to the community, according to the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District (CCMVCD).

The district was spraying insecticide around the Concord Naval Weapons Station early Monday morning to help deal with "a high number of nuisance mosquitoes in the area" that pose a "threat to human health." The spraying was planned for an hour beginning at 5:40 a.m.

Related: More Concord Birds Test Positive for West Nile Virus

The treatment area runs from Port Chicago Highway in the south to Suisun Bay, using a product called Scourge — which is "extremely toxic" to fish and bees, according to the product description, and has to be applied using a vehicle-mounted aerosol. The result is the "fogging" of the area by trucks mounted with sprayers, as seen in the video example above.

According to the district, the risks of fogging to the public and to the environment are very low.

"Mosquito adulticides are applied as ultra-low volume (ULV) sprays," says an FAQ on the CCMVCD website. "ULV applications involve small quantities of active ingredient in relation to the size of the area treated, typically less than 2 ounces per acre, which minimizes exposure and risk to people and the environment."

The spray dissipates in a few hours, according to the district, but a few steps can be taken to ensure minimal exposure:

• Sign up to the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District's adulticide fogging notification service for announcements about spraying.
• Remain indoors during applications in the immediate area. 
• People who suffer from chemical sensitivities or feel spraying may aggravate a preexisting health condition, may consult their physician or local health department and take special measures to avoid exposure. 
• Close windows and turn off window-unit air conditioners when spraying is taking place in the immediate area.
• Keep children's toys indoors.

For more information, visit the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District's website.