Planes Drop Applications Over Meridian, Eagle, and Kuna to Fight West Nile Virus
Hide yo kids, hide yo wife and hide yo toys tonight! The West Nile virus is here and all you can do is go inside tonight. The assault on mosquitoes happens tonight.
That was a very movie trailer type of announcement, but it's true. This West Nile virus is has been found within the district according to Ada County Mosquito Abatement District. This is an all-out battle tonight at midnight in North Meridian, Star, West Eagle, and Kuna.
Ada County Aerial Assault on Mosquitoes
I grew up in Texas close to the coast and mosquito trucks felt like a nightly occurrence. There wasn't a warning or parent talk. We would just cover our noses and that was about the end of that. Thursday night between 8:30 p.m. and midnight we'll see a flyover in our city. No, this isn't the vaccine for the coronavirus because I'm sure that will circulate quickly.
"Applications via twin-engine aircraft are scheduled to reduce populations of mosquitoes with high levels of West Nile virus (WNV) found within the district. WNV is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites and in some cases can cause severe symptoms.
To treat populations of flying mosquitoes, the aircraft will apply the product Dibrom Concentrate to 38,400 acres from an altitude of 300 feet.
The product is extremely effective at controlling mosquitoes, is not harmful to humans or pets, and dissipates quickly. Because the applications will take place in the evening, they will not harm beneficial pollinators.
For those with home gardens, it is recommended to simply rinse produce as you normally would before consumption."
Main Questions Answered Regarding Application
- Can you opt-out? No, but can be for the regular fogging services.
- Will it harm organic gardens? The likelihood is very small.
- Will this hurt my cows, horses, birds, dogs, or cats? Dibrom is not harmful to wildlife that includes pets, fish, birds, or livestock.
- This will not hurt fish.
- Rinse vegetables and fruit before consuming them from a garden.
Here's a map from Ada County outlining locations.
You can find out more by visiting Ada County's website.