Aerial mosquito larvicide treatments
The Vector Control Program routinely uses a helicopter to drop small grains of mosquito larvicide into areas of standing water know to breed mosquitoes.
We treat most areas by hand or by truck (about 1600 sites countywide), but use a helicopter for hard-to-reach areas of standing water that can't be treated from the ground.
These treatments protect our communities by lowering mosquito numbers, which helps to decrease the risk of West Nile virus in San Diego County.
Aerial mosquito larvicide drops occur every three to four weeks during the mosquito breeding season, generally April to October. Signs will be posted at treatment locations. Vector Control Program staff are on site before, during, and right after the treatments to answer questions and track progress.
If you would like to sign up for e-mail reminders of scheduled aerial treatments, subscribe here.
- April 23 (and 24 if needed)
- May 14 and 15
- June 4 and 5
- June 25 and 26
- July 16 and 17
- August 6 and 7
- August 27 and 28
- Sept 17 and 18
- October 8 and 9 (if needed)
Treatment dates are subject to change depending on conditions.
Bacterial larvicides are made of different natural bacteria and natural substances made by bacteria that kill mosquito larvae but don't harm people, pets, plants, or wildlife. Small grains of the larvicides are used to precisely target areas of standing water and prevent drift.
Product details
| Product Name | Active Ingredient(s) | Product Label and
Safety data sheet (SDS) |
| VectoMax | Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis | Label |
| SDS | ||
| VectoBac GR | Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis | Label |
| SDS | ||
| Natular | Spinosad (Saccharopolyspora spinosa products) | Label |
| SDS |
Treatment locations
The map and table below show potential locations for aerial mosquito larvicide drops. We decide which sites to treat with the helicopter based on mosquito trap counts, environmental conditions, and other factors. Many more sites throughout the county are treated from the ground.
| City | Name of Site | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad | Las Olas, East Rancho Santa Fe Rd | 8 |
| Carlsbad | Las Olas, West Rancho Santa Fe Rd | 8 |
| Carlsbad | Laguna Riviera City Park | 44 |
| Carlsbad | Evan's Point | 8 |
| Chula Vista / San Diego | Salt Creek | 8 |
| Chula Vista / San Diego | Otay River, Broadway / Beyer | 34 |
| Chula Vista / San Diego | Chula Vista - Hollister Street | 48 |
| Chula Vista / San Diego | Otay River, West Hwy 805 | 44 |
| Chula Vista / San Diego | Otay River, East Hwy 805 | 36 |
| Encinitas / Solana Beach | San Elijo Lagoon, East | 92 |
| Encinitas / Solana Beach | San Elijo Lagoon, West | 16 |
| Escondido | Kit Carson Park | 8 |
| Escondido | Lake Hodges | 20 |
| Fallbrook | Lake Rancho Viejo | 12 |
| Lakeside | Lindo Lake | 4 |
| Lakeside | Cactus County Park | 8 |
| Lakeside | Willowbrook | 40 |
| Oceanside | San Luis Rey River, West Capistrano Pk | 3 |
| Oceanside | San Luis Rey River, East Capistrano Pk | 1 |
| Oceanside | San Luis Rey River, West Douglas Dr | 42 |
| Oceanside | Huula Dr. | 3 |
| Oceanside | Foss Lake | 38 |
| Oceanside | Libby Lake | 2 |
| Oceanside | Talone Lake | 24 |
| Oceanside | Guajome County Park | 34 |
| Oceanside | Antique Gas | 10 |
| Oceanside / Carlsbad | Buena Vista Lagoon | 112 |
| Rancho Bernardo | Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course | 4 |
| Rancho Bernardo | Rancho Bernardo Lakes, Salviatia | 2 |
| Rancho Bernardo | Rancho Bernardo Lakes, Bel Etage | 8 |
| Rancho Bernardo | The Landing | 2 |
| Rancho Santa Fe | Goldentop Road | 2 |
| Rancho Santa Fe | San Dieguito River - Bing Crosby | 4 |
| Rancho Santa Fe | Lusardi Pond | 38 |
| San Diego | Watson Ranch | 5 |
| San Diego | Sabre Springs | 16 |
| San Diego | Lake Kumeyaay | 32 |
| San Diego | San Diego River - near Home Depot | 12 |
| San Diego | San Diego River - Qualcomm Way | 20 |
| San Diego | Dairy Mart Road | 70 |
| San Diego | Monument Rd | 100 |
| San Diego | Swap Meet | 16 |
| San Diego | Tijuana River, Hollister | 52 |
| San Diego | Carmel Creek | 52 |
| San Diego | Peñasquitos Lagoon | 112 |
| San Diego | San Diego Polo Grounds | 50 |
| San Diego | Derby Downs | 20 |
| San Diego/4S Ranch | Rainsford's Pond/Old Course Rd | 5 |
| Santee | San Diego River - Town Center | 24 |
| Santee | Carlton Oaks | 16 |
| Santee | Sycamore Creek | 8 |
| Santee | Chubb Lane | 20 |
Total: Up to 52 Locations & approx. 1400 Acres
858-694-2888
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