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Mosquitoes: Our Unwelcome Neighbors

The telephone number – 243-7999 – is in operation so that residents can ask questions about mosquito issues and report locations of high mosquito activity and standing or stagnant water. The Pima County Health Department is staffing this number, also known as the West Nile Virus Hotline.

The West Nile Virus Task Force is also working to eliminate mosquito breeding environments through community education, surveillance, and response. Its members include staff from Pima County; the Cities of Tucson and South Tucson; the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe; the towns of Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita; the University Of Arizona; the State of Arizona; Davis-Monthan Air Force Base; and the National Weather Service.

These jurisdictions have partnered to:

• check public drains for standing water

• apply larvicide in locations where standing water cannot be eliminated

• mow and remove debris from public properties and washes

• place mosquito traps and collect specimens to test for West Nile virus

• host presentations and distribute information to neighborhoods, professional organizations, sports groups, and other interested residents

Tucson and Pima County residents can help too!

• Eliminate standing water on your property and remove any water-collecting items.

• Repair any screens or doors that allow mosquitoes into your home.

• Purchase approved insect repellent products for personal use.

• Wear long sleeves and long pants, even in warm weather, to avoid bites.

For more information to how you can prevent breeding of mosquitoes and avoid mosquito bites, go online to:
http://www.pimahealth.org/disease/westnile.html
http://www.westnileaz.com
Midtown Mosquito Pilot Project
http://www.tucsonbotanical.org/mosquito.html