Residents urged to take precautions after invasive mosquitoes found in Delhi

The Merced County Mosquito Abatement District is urging citizens to take action after invasive mosquitoes that can carry disease were located in the Delhi area.

According to the District, on Sept. 29, the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito was identified in the area.

‘It’s capable of transmitting multiple human diseases including chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever and Zika, according to a Merced County Mosquito Abatement District news release.

No travel cases have been reported in Merced County this year, but the mosquito has spread and established itself throughout most of the county, the district said.

According to the release, the Aedes aegypti is a small black and white day-biting mosquito, about 1/4 inch in length, that prefers to feed on humans. The mosquito lays its eggs just above the surface of water in small containers and lives in urban habitats.

“It is imperative that citizens do their part in eliminating stagnant water sources in their backyards to reduce the spread of mosquito populations,” said General Manager Rhiannon Jones in a news release.

“These mosquitoes only live in urban habitats and will spread throughout the community if there is persistent water in people’s backyards. Most people don’t realize that these mosquitoes can lay eggs in small amounts of water, like a bottlecap full, and even complete its lifecycle inside peoples’ homes.”

When temperatures are hot, the mosquito can complete its life cycle in as little as five days, according to the release.

The Mosquito Abatement District is asking residents to inspect their property and to immediately discard any standing water.

Those living in urban residential areas who are being bitten by mosquitoes during the day are encouraged to contact the Merced County Mosquito Abatement District.

The district said it will continue surveillance efforts as well as reducing mosquito populations by using ground treatments and home inspections. The district said that its main concern is public health regarding mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases, while keeping social distancing in mind regarding COVID-19.

“There has been a higher number of people calling in to report mosquito activity in their neighborhood, which has been great,” said Jones in the release. “Now more than ever before, citizens have to play a more active role in tipping and tossing out water.”

According to the district, residents can take some precautions to reduce the chance of being bitten by Aedes aegypti or other mosquitoes.

These precautions include draining standing water, as mosquitoes prefer to lay eggs in stagnant water and by using repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.

Other precautions include avoiding going outdoors when mosquitoes are present, which is typically dawn or dusk — and by reporting neglected swimming pools to the district. Anonymous calls are accepted, according to the release.

Merced County residents can report mosquito-breeding problem areas and request service by contacting the Merced County Mosquito Abatement District at 209-722-1527, toll free at 800-622-3242 or online at the Merced County Mosquito Abatement District website.

According to the District, additional information about Aedes aegypti can be found at the California Department of Public Health website.