WIDE AREA LARVICIDE SPRAY (WALS)

Along with asking residents to do their part in keeping their backyard free from potential mosquito breeding sources, the Delano Mosquito Abatement District will be evaluating a program known as Wide Area Larvicide Spray (WALS). WALS will be conducted during the mosquito season (March – November) to try to combat and suppress urban container breeding mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever) mosquito.

Often, the majority of these urban container breeding mosquitoes reproduce in cryptic and hidden sources in residential backyards. It is just not possible for the District Mosquito Technicians to inspect thousands of households in our jurisdiction and treat all the possible habitats for urban container breeding mosquitoes.

WALS is an approach to larvae control using natural occurring bacterium to kill the mosquito larvae in water sources. This treatment targets the larval stage of the mosquito and will not reduce adult numbers initially. Control of mosquitoes in their larval stages is the backbone of most mosquito control programs. WALS treatments are carried out using low volume spray equipment mounted on a truck. The equipment allows us to direct the mist to target areas where mosquitoes breed and hide. The District will monitor areas of WALS treatment for population numbers of these container mosquitoes.

Where Will the Spraying Take Place

The spraying will take place in areas of concern -- determined by the district’s mosquito and disease surveillance programs. Our technicians use a variety of surveillance techniques and treatment criteria to ensure effective mosquito control with the least amount of risk to residents and the environment.

What Will Be Sprayed

The District plans to use Vectobac WDG, a biological larvicide, during the WALS operation. VectoBac Biological Larvicide is a mosquito larvicide that contains the time-proven, naturally occurring and environmentally compatible bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti). Bti is very target-specific and its toxicity is limited to mosquitoes and related flies. This product has no impact on bees and will not harm people, pets, nor wildlife including other aquatic life or other insects. There may be very small dried droplets or fine dust residue on some outside surfaces following treatment. The dried droplets are washable and will not affect your home, garden, outdoor furniture or vehicle. You can learn more about Bti here.

When Will Spraying Take Place

WALS will be conducted during the night (11PM-4AM) when people are indoors, to limit accidental exposure, even though bti is non-toxic to humans, birds, pets, fish, etc.

How safe is this product for me, my family and pets?

Risk to the general public from the use of BTI is minimal. It has no effect on people, pets, plants, or wildlife at the amounts used for mosquito control. In fact, little to no direct toxicity to non-target insects has been observed with this product.

How can I limit my exposure to the product?

The treatments will be conducted in the early morning or late evening hours. Residents in the treatment area may choose to stay indoors during and for 30 minutes following the application as a best practice to reduce exposure.

VectoBac WDG Label and SDS