Palo Alto to spray flood basin for mosquitoes

Palo Alto is taking precautions against aggressive mosquitoes by spraying a flood basin this week. These mosquitoes can travel up to 20 miles in search of blood. The Santa Clara County Vector Control District plans to start the spraying on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. A helicopter will be used to apply naturally occurring microbes and a hormone regulator. This treatment helps stop immature mosquitoes from growing into adult insects. Mosquitoes known as aedes squamiger are particularly troublesome. They are aggressive biters and tend to feed on a variety of hosts. Dr. Nayer Zahiri, the district manager, noted that recent rains have created areas with standing water, making it hard to reach them for manual treatment. Dr. Zahiri stressed the need for timely action to prevent these mosquitoes from becoming a problem. The spraying is expected to significantly lower the mosquito population and stop them from spreading into nearby communities. The district assures that the treatment is safe. The microbes and hormones used are not harmful to people, wildlife, or beneficial insects. However, trails around the flood basin will close during the spraying to ensure safety, and they will reopen afterward.