Mosquito Spraying Announced In Areas With West Nile Virus In Upper Merion

County and state health officials have announced plans for mosquito spraying in areas where cases of West Nile Virus have been found in Upper Merion.

The spraying is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 20, from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the spraying will be rescheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27.

The affected areas are bordered by the following streets: Schuylkill River Road, East Church Road, Yerkes Road, Swedeland Road and Renaissance Boulevard.

According to the Montgomery County Health Department, residents within the spray area should consider remaining indoors, closing windows and turning off ventilation systems that draw in outside air for the duration of the spray and the next 30 minutes following.

Residents may contact the health department at 610- 278-5117 if they are concerned about an area of standing water that may be a breeding area. The adult mosquito control program will only be used in limited situations to reduce large numbers of adult mosquitoes.

For further information about the products being used, visit the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes.

Here are more tips to reduce exposure to West Nile:

• Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar containers that hold water.
• Properly dispose of discarded tires that can collect water. Stagnant water is where most mosquitoes breed.
• Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.
• Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year as the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug drains.
• 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.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use and remove any water that may collect on pool covers. If a resident has stagnant pools of water on their property, they can buy BTI products at lawn and garden, outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. This naturally occurring bacterium kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.
• Make sure screens fit tightly over doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
• Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly when mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, or in areas known for having large numbers of mosquitoes.
• When possible, reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk during peak mosquito periods, usually April through October.
• Use insect repellents according to the manufacturer’s instructions. An effective repellent will contain DEET, picardin or lemon eucalyptus oil. Consult with a pediatrician or family physician for questions about the use of repellent on children, as repellent is not recommended for children under the age of two months.