Residents of Pesticide Spray Zone Get Flyers

The California Conservation Corps on Saturday finished distributing thousands of flyers notifying residents of the Medfly eradication zone that their homes will soon be sprayed with pesticide, authorities said.

About 14,000 official notices of aerial malathion spraying were distributed Friday to households and businesses in the eastern Camarillo and Somis areas, said Larry Hawkins of the Cooperative Medfly Project.

Corps members doled out additional flyers Saturday at Camarillo Public Library and to people in recreational vehicles, targeting those who may be in the eradication zone temporarily but who do not have permanent homes in the area, Hawkins said.

About 29,000 people live in the 16-square-mile aerial spraying zone, according to estimates from Ventura County planning officials.

Also Saturday, Medfly Project workers answered phone calls from residents with questions about the infestation and the spraying campaign scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Hawkins said more than 100 people called the hot line number Saturday morning. “A lot of them want to know if they are in the treatment area or outside,” Hawkins said. “We tell them, if you didn’t get a treatment notice, you are not in the treatment area.”

The hot line number, listed on the spraying notification flyers, is 800-491-1899.

Librarian Mary Goldberg said informational booklets and videotapes about the Medfly and the spraying program were in high demand Saturday at the Camarillo Public Library.

“People are interested,” Goldberg said. “It’s all around town.”

What to Do

Aerial spraying of malathion is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Wednesday.

State and federal agencies report that malathion has been studied extensively, and that there is no evidence it causes cancer, birth defects, nerve damage, eye damage or cumulative injury. But residents are cautioned to avoid exposure.

Officials also recommend that the following precautions be taken during and after spraying:

* Remain indoors if possible while spraying is in progress.

* If outdoors, avoid looking up at the falling droplets.

* If in contact with spray, wash residues from skin and clothing with soap and water.

* Do not leave laundry outdoors when spraying is scheduled. If laundry is soiled, rewash before wearing.

* Put your car in a garage or carport, or cover it with a plastic tarp to prevent paint damage when spraying is scheduled.

* If your car is outside during spraying, wash it the next day to prevent paint damage.

* Rinse plastic skylights and awnings the day after spraying to prevent permanent stains.

* Cover fish ponds before spraying and uncover shortly after to minimize water contamination while avoiding oxygen depletion.

* After an area has been sprayed, wash outdoor eating areas, playground equipment and objects such as toys and pet food dishes that may have been outside during spraying.

* Avoid harvesting home-grown fruits and vegetables for three days after spraying.

* Rinse all fresh fruits and vegetables with water before cooking or eating them, just as you should with store-bought items.

Additional information about malathion is available by calling (800) 491-1899.