Stamford Begins 2021 Mosquito Management Program

Information via City of Stamford

STAMFORD, CT — According to a news release, the City of Stamford’s Department of Health has begun enacting measures to control the local mosquito population.

City officials are actively taking measures such as larviciding in an effort to regulate and prevent the potential spread of mosquito-borne illnesses. Larviciding refers to the process of treating catch basins to specifically target insects in their larval-stage.

Several mosquito species which have previously been identified as carriers of West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis are known to use utilize wetland areas and catch basins/storm drains as breeding habitats. The preemptive control of mosquito species emerging from temporary, semi-permanent and permanent saltwater and freshwater habitats will require treatment of woodland and vernal pools, freshwater and tidal saltwater marshes, swamplands, and meadows.

In addition to these measures, homeowners and businesses should recognize conditions that may attract mosquitos such as standing water, discarded cans or bottles, and overgrown grass, bushes or shrubbery. Residents are encouraged to report instances of these conditions to Stamford’s Department of Health.

"The City of Stamford continues to be proactive in reducing mosquito populations through our larviciding program. Residents should also continue to be proactive in preventing mosquito bites and work to keep mosquitoes out of the home. We are asking residents to use precautions and assist in protecting the Stamford community from mosquitoes. The elimination of standing water where mosquitos breed is so important. If residents observe standing water that they cannot remove, they should notify Citizen Services or the Health Department for abatement,” said Acting Director of Health, Jody Bishop-Pullan, in the news release.

Residents are also advised to ensure all residence window and door screens are intact. If a resident is participating in outdoor activities, especially at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active, they are advised to use approved mosquito repellent and wear long sleeves and pants.