CONSHOHOCKEN, August 25, 2009 - Last month, the Department of Environmental Protection, in coordinated effort with local county health departments, began spraying areas in the 17th District to control the mosquito population and subsequent threat of the West Nile virus. DEP has already covered vegetation and recreational areas in King of Prussia and at Lower Merion, Radnor Township, Filipon, Encke and Clem Macrone parks.
Tomorrow night at dusk, the preventative measure to protect residents from the threat of West Nile will continue with a scheduled spraying in the area encompassed by North Lane, Hallowell Street, Elm Street, and Rt. 476 in Conshohocken.
If you would like to be notified of future plans for spraying in your area you can sign up here: http://www.westnile.state.pa.us/NewsReleases/
Township officials are always notified two days in advance of spraying. Call your local municipal offices for additional information about the exact areas that will be treated. Many townships may also have this information on their web sites.
While there have been no reported cases of West Nile in Pennsylvania this year, residents should still take precautions to protect their homes from becoming mosquito-breeding grounds.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection, these tips include:
- Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have collected on your property.
- Pay attention to discarded tires, as stagnant water is an ideal place for mosquitoes to breed.
- Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.
- Clean clogged roof gutters every year.
- Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
- Turn over wheelbarrows and don’t let water stagnate in birdbaths.
- Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish to prevent mosquitoes from multiplying.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not in use. A swimming pool left unattended for only a month can turn into a nightmare for homeowners.
- For stagnant pools of water, purchase Bti products at lawn and garden, home improvement and outdoor supply stores. This naturally-occurring bacteria kills mosquito larva but is still safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.
As always, make sure to protect yourself from mosquito bites this summer, too. Be sure to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants outdoors when possible, especially at dawn or dusk (when mosquitoes are most active.) Use insect repellants that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon or eucalyptus to keep the bugs away anytime you participate in outdoor activities.
To report an area of standing water that may be a mosquito-breeding ground, or for any questions, contact the Health Department at (610) 278-5117.
For an online guide to the West Nile virus and Pennsylvania’s surveillance and control program, please visit www.westnile.state.pa.us.
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