Learn How to Eliminate Mosquitoes, Prevent Bites During Webinar for Local Residents Set for Thursday

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District (SGVMVCD) will teach local residents about mosquito prevention techniques, including choosing the right repellent through an online webinar this week.

According to SGVMVCD communications director Levy Sun, the mosquito control district has decided to hold the “Bite Back Tour” webinar as the expected warmer weather in cities across the San Gabriel Valley, including Pasadena, may bring a rise in mosquito and West Nile Virus activity.

The SGVMVCD will make stops in cities across the San Gabriel Valley to show residents how they can best protect themselves from mosquitoes, according to Sun.

“This is the first year we conducted this tour in response to people wanting access to mosquito safety information in a virtual on-demand and live format,” said Sun.

The public can view the “Bite Back Tour” webinar which will be held on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. by visiting www.bitebackchampion.org.

Residents can also view the webinar through SGVMVCD’s YouTube, Facebook or Twitter account. No advance registration is required.

“Viewers will learn which repellent works best, why using pesticides to spray for adult mosquitoes as a first resort is more dangerous than most people realize, and how the dense vegetation around their home attracts mosquitoes.”

Sun said the event’s goal is to encourage the public to sign up in the mosquito control district’s “Bite Back Program” which aims to build healthier and “bite-free” communities.

According to Sun, currently, the most persistent and pervasive threat to Pasadenans is the West Nile virus, which is spread by the local Culex mosquitoes.

Sun said local mosquito control officials are also concerned about the possible detection of Zika virus, yellow fever or dengue fever outbreak in Pasadena amid the presence of Aedes mosquitoes.

Sun expressed hopes residents will realize that making their home bite-free is a community effort.

“The way we’ve urbanized and developed our cities means mosquitoes are part of our city ecosystem. Taking action to reduce their population is key to prevent a mosquito-borne disease outbreak.”

“This includes tipping out stagnant water weekly around the home and using repellent whenever outdoors to stop the bites.”

Last July 9, the California Department of Public Health announced the first reported death from the West Nile virus in California this year.

On July 26, Sun confirmed that the West Nile virus was detected in Pasadena for the first time in three years.