Resident Concerned About Mosquito Spraying Seek More Time To Prepare

GARDEN GROVE (CBSLA.com) — Residents expressed anger Tuesday night over scheduled spraying for mosquitoes in the area.

Those who spoke at the City Council meeting Tuesday said they were unsure of exactly what is in the chemical, Duet, that will be used to try to reduce the mosquito population.

The meeting followed a protest earlier outside the Orange County Vector Control offices and included a Facebook page with more than 1,000 members arguing against the spraying plan.

Residents who said they've had no time to prepare for the spraying said they are concerned about the effects of the chemical on children, pets and gardens.

"This is our problem," protester Renee Bryant said. "No one's been informed."

Vector Control, meanwhile, said the decision to spray was made a week ago to spray Wednesday and Thursday nights and that spraying is the best way to control a mosquito epidemic.

Jared Dever of Vector Control cited trap counts that show mosquito levels at 250 times the five-year average in the area and said as much as 50 percent of trapped mosquitoes show infection of West Nile virus.

A spokeswoman for Clarke Co., manufacturer of the pesticide, said the chemical is used in low concentrations. "About a tablespoon covers an entire acre," Laura McGowen said.

While the City Council does not have the authority to halt the spraying, it voted unanimously Tuesday to ask the Vector Control board to hold off on spraying and to plan a public hearing so residents could learn more.