PHILADELPHIA - The Health Department’s Vector Control Staff plans to use a larvicidal insecticide treatment in Eastwick early on Wednesday before dawn.
The spray is part of a multi-layered mosquito control program funded by the state. It is used to help reduce mosquito populations in areas where West Nile Virus-positive mosquitoes have been present in previous years. The Health Department monitors West Nile Virus positive mosquitoes and sprays adult mosquitoes when necessary.
Residents can help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas around the home by:
- Removing things that can catch and hold water, like trash, cans, plastic containers, or pots.
- Drilling holes in the bottom of outdoor trash cans and recycling containers.
- Turning over plastic baby pools at the end of the day.
- Removing old tires.
- Having clogged roof gutters cleaned, roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
- Changing the water in birdbaths frequently.
- Cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools; a swimming pool left untended by a family on vacation for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in a neighborhood-wide problem.
You can prevent being bitten by mosquitoes by:
- Ensure screens tightly cover doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks outdoors, especially when mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn.
- Use insect repellents according to the manufacturer’s instructions. An effective repellent will contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Consult with a pediatrician or family physician about repellent use on children. (Repellent is not recommended for children under two months.)
