Mosquito Spraying In Moorestown Set For Friday

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Burlington County will conduct mosquito spraying operations in Moorestown on Friday, county officials announced on Thursday.

The mosquito helicopter will be treating wooded areas with standing water in the multiple townships between 7:30 am and 4 pm. The chemical being applied is Metalarv at a rate of 4 pounds per acre.

Metalarv features methoprene — a juvenile hormone analog of mosquitoes that prevents the emergence of adult mosquitoes. In addition to Moorestown, other towns that will be sprayed include:

• Delran
• Evesham
• Hainesport
• Lumberton
• Maple Shade
• Medford
• Pemberton
• Southampton
• Tabernacle
• Woodland

Residents should check their property for any object that holds water for more than a few days. All pre-adult mosquito stages (eggs, larvae, and pupae) must be in stagnant water in order to develop into adult mosquitoes.

• Swimming pools are a common problem. All pools must be checked and maintained to keep them mosquito-free. Swimming pools can breed mosquitoes within days after you stop adding chlorine or other disinfectant. Pool covers can catch rainwater and become a mosquito development site. Add a little chlorine to kill mosquitoes.
• Maintain screens to prevent adult mosquitoes from entering your home or business.
• Personal protection is strongly urged if you are outside when mosquitoes may be active—generally dawn and dusk. Insect repellants containing between 10-35% DEET are very effective, however, be sure to follow the label directions and take extra precautions with children and infants.

The following is a checklist of tips to help eliminate mosquito breeding:

• Dispose of unnecessary containers that hold water. Containers you wish to save turn upside down or put holes in the bottom so all water drains out.
• Lift up flowerpots and dump the water from the dish underneath every week.
• Stock fish or add mosquito larvicide to ornamental ponds.
• Change water in bird baths, fountains, and animal troughs weekly.
• Screen vents to septic and other water tanks.
• Store large boats so they drain and small boats upside down. If covered, keep the tarp tight so water does not pool on top of the tarp.
• Do not dump leaves or grass clippings into a catch basin or streams.
• Do not allow water to collect on sagging tarps or awnings.
• Do not allow trashcan lids to fill with water.
• Check downspouts that are able to hold enough water to allow mosquito larvae to mature.