HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Atascadero News Release - Mosquitos 4.25.2019
News from the
City of Atascadero
Public Works Department
6500 Palma Ave
Atascadero, CA 93422
(805) 470-3148
For Immediate Release – April 25, 2019
For more information contact Tara Orlick: 805-470-3148
MMoossqquuiittoo SSeeaa ssoonn iiss HHeerree!!
Spring is here, with warmer weather! And with the nice weather, mosquitoes have also arrived!
In 2010, San Luis Obispo County voters decided against a tax assessment which would have
continued funding for the county-run, county-wide Vector Control Program. Due to lack of
sufficient funding to support it, the County discontinued the program and it then became the
responsibility of all residents and property owners for eliminating possible mosquito breeding areas
on their privately owned property and maintaining those areas in order to help keep the mosquito
population down.
It is very important for everyone to take steps to help eliminate the breeding places for mosquitos in
and around all residences and workplaces, and to reduce mosquito borne health risks. Some helpful
tips to reduce these hazards include:
Eliminate locations for mosquitoes to lay their eggs by removing standing water sources
from around your property. Routinely remove standing water from items such as decorative
ponds, bird baths, fountains, flower pots, pet bowls, animal troughs, clogged rain gutters,
swimming pool covers, discarded tires, buckets, barrels, cans, etc. Even small containers with
standing water can provide a breeding habitat for mosquitoes.
Use mosquito dunks and other pest control/abatement products which can be purchased at
most local nursery and hardware supply stores.
To avoid being bitten, consider staying indoors between dusk and dawn, which is peak
mosquito biting time. Avoid activities and places where mosquitoes are plentiful.
Apply insect repellent containing the active ingredient DEET when you’re outdoors.
Wear long sleeved clothes, pants, and socks. Clothing can also be treated with repellants
containing DEET.
Take steps to ensure that all windows and doors have screens; do not leave doors open for
extended periods of time.
If everyone takes responsibility for helping to reduce the local mosquito population by eliminating
all standing water mosquito breeding hazards on their personal property, we can all have a safer and
much more pleasant spring and summer. The County of San Luis Obispo provides much more
information on the Environmental Health section of their website to assist residents in
learning how to manage these types of issues. For additional guidance and resources,
residents should visit http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Health-Agency/Public-
Health/Environmental-Health/All-Environmental-Health-Services/Pests.aspx