San Diego County is preparing to resume aerial mosquito larvicide treatments May 14, and several Santee locations are on the county’s list of potential treatment sites.

The county’s Vector Control Program uses helicopters to drop small grains of larvicide into hard-to-reach standing water where mosquitoes breed. The program is aimed at reducing mosquito populations and lowering the risk of West Nile virus, according to the county and East County Magazine.

County treatment locations listed for Santee include San Diego River - Town Center, Carlton Oaks, Sycamore Creek and Chubb Lane. Nearby East County sites include Lindo Lake, Cactus County Park and Willowbrook in Lakeside, along with Lake Kumeyaay in Mission Trails Regional Park.

The county says the bacterial larvicides are designed to target mosquito larvae and do not harm people, pets, plants or wildlife when used as directed. Aerial drops are scheduled every three to four weeks through late October, though dates can change depending on conditions.

Residents can help by dumping standing water from containers, birdbaths, clogged gutters and plant saucers. More details, including the county’s aerial treatment schedule and listed treatment locations, are available through the County Vector Control Program.