Mosquito Control Practices in Stratford

STRATFORD, CT - From the desk of the Town of Stratford: It’s that time of the year again—mosquitoes are among us. It also happens to be National Mosquito Control Week! In an effort to prevent illnesses such as West Nile virus (WNV) carried by mosquitoes, the Stratford Health Department has teamed up with the Town’s Public Works Department to treat the town’s 5,283 catch basins with a non-toxic larvicide.

“We treated all of Stratford’s catch basins last week, and will continue through the summer season, as the funding permits,” said Dr. Christina Senft-Batoh, the town’s Conservation Administrator. As both departments have advised in the past all residents need to be vigilant about reducing standing water on their properties and help reduce areas where mosquitoes can breed.

If a property is abandoned, or abatement is otherwise hindered, the Health Department will work with Conservation to apply larvicide if the circumstances warrant such action and a human health threat exists. Residents can purchase larvicide briquettes or “dunks” at local hardware stores or places like Home Depot. “We’ll be tracking mosquito surveillance data from the state agricultural stations located here in Town at Beacon Point and Beaver Dam Road,” said Andrea Boissevain, the town’s Health Director. Mosquitoes will be collected and tested for the presence of WNV, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Zika through October.

Here are precautions that should be taken to avoid mosquito bites and to decrease mosquito activity around your home:

REMOVE STANDING WATER

• Rid your property of extra standing water. Artificial containers such as barrels and birdbaths are frequently used by mosquitoes for laying eggs.
• Cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools that are not being used, including pool covers.
• Cleaning clogged gutters.
• Drilling holes in bottom of recycling containers.
• Fixing holes in your screens.
• For commercial properties with flat roofs, check for standing water to reduce mosquito-breeding sites.

WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are most active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Minimizing time spent outdoors around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Be sure door and windows screens are tight fighting and in good repair.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small babies when outdoors.

USE INSECT REPELLENT

Considering using mosquito repellent, as directed, when outdoors.

Repellents made with 20-30% of the active ingredient DEET are very effective when used properly; however, DO NOT USE ON CHILDREN UNDER 2 years of age.

For more information on West Nile Virus, Zika, and mosquito control, visit the Stratford Health Department’s website at www.townofstratford.com/health and follow us on Twitter @Health Stratford tips and info.

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station also has information for the public on mosquito surveillance control and mosquito-borne diseases. This information can be accessed on their website http://www.ct.gov/mosquito. For the most up-to-date mosquito information across Connecticut, call the toll-free number 1-866-WNV-LINE (1-866-968-5463).

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