Operations I
Operations I
Since its first detection of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in 2016, the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District (the District) has been diligently working to reduce the number of mosquitoes. Ae. aegypti mosquitoes are currently found in all cities of the Coachella Valley. One approach of mosquito management is to conduct Wide Area Larvicide Sprays (WALS), which the District conducts by aerial and by truck-mounted application equipment. These applications entail a significant amount of work by District staff each year. The treatments are evaluated with trap collections compared to other areas that are untreated. Along with trap collections, sample cups are set to determine if the product reached the target areas. Routine treatments led to a reduction in Aedes mosquitoes after the applications; however, the objective was to determine if the yearly WALS applications have made an impact on reducing Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus over time.