From the Thousand Oaks Acorn
June 7, 2018
With warmer summer weather and increased outdoor activities, a higher risk of exposure to mosquitoes is expected.
Since mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus or Western equine encephalitis virus, the Ventura County Environmental Health Division advises the public to take precautions to protect against mosquito bites and assist with the effort to control mosquitoes.
To minimize exposure to mosquitoes, eliminate standing water from property and make sure doors and windows have tightfitting screens without holes.
When outdoors, wear protective clothing and apply an EPA-approved insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
If water is stored in rain barrels or other containers for longer than a week, cover all openings with tight-fitting lids or 1/16-inch fine mesh screen.
The division monitors and controls mosquitoes at approximately 2,400 mosquito breeding sources throughout Ventura County.
The public is asked to report mosquito activity or potential mosquito breeding sites by calling the complaint hotline at (805) 658-4310.
Mosquito-eating fish are available to the public for use in ornamental ponds and water features. To request the fish, call (805) 662-6582.