Delco Mosquito Spraying Continues Thursday: County

More areas in Delaware County will be treated with chemicals to help fight the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus, the county announced Tuesday.

According to officials, areas of Brookhaven Borough, Aston Township, Chester Township, and Upland Borough will be sprayed the evening of Thursday, Aug. 17.

In the event of rain, the spraying will be rescheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 21.

Thursday's planned spraying makes it the county's fourth time hitting areas with an ultra-low volume, low toxicity mosquito treatment since July 27.

Spraying will help control the population of adult mosquitoes and reduce the risk of spreading mosquito-borne viruses, such as West Nile Virus.

The treatment will be administered with truck-mounted equipment to spray open spaces in residential and recreational areas, the county said.

The insecticide is designed to provide quick, effective control of adult mosquito populations, according to the county.

The chemical has a very low toxicity profile to mammals and is safe for the environment, officials said.

Certain mosquito species carry the West Nile Virus, which can cause humans to contract West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all residents in areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of contracting West Nile encephalitis.

The county offered up tips to residents to help limit mosquito populations on their properties:

• Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar containers that hold water on your property.
• 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.
• Clean clogged roof gutters every year, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees tend 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.
• For stagnant pools of water, homeowners can buy Bti products at lawn and garden, outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. This naturally occurring bacteria kills mosquito larva, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.

Not only did the county provide tips to limit mosquito numbers, it offered tips to avoid mosquito bites:

• 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 repellants according to the manufacturer’s instructions. An effective repellant will contain DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil. Consult with a pediatrician or family physician for questions about the use of repellant on children, as repellant is not recommended for children under the age of two months.

Visit the state's webpage on the West Nile Virus Control program to learn more about mosquitoes and West Nile Virus.

Image via Shutterstock