Where Is Mosquito Spraying Tuesday in North Whitehall?

Crews from the Lehigh County West Nile Program will spray pesticide in areas of North Whitehall Township on Tuesday evening to reduce the risk of West Nile Virus.

Spraying by trucks is scheduled to take place at dusk in mostly non-residential areas of Schnecksville, Laury's Station and Treichlers, weather permitting. Areas around three wastewater treatment plants will be targeted for spraying. Spraying will be delayed until Wednesday if Tuesday evening's operation is hampered by rain.

At least two mosquito samples from North Whitehall have tested positive for West Nile. 

"The idea is just to keep the (mosquito) population down before people start getting sick," said Louise Bugbee, director of the Lehigh County West Nile program.

Bugbee urges residents to get rid of standing water where mosquitoes can breed — dump water out of flower pots, garbage cans, recycling buckets and other containers.

Tuesday's treatments will be administered via truck-mounted equipment, dispensing Biomist 3+15 ULV at a rate of 0.75 ounces per acre.

The pesticide is designed to provide quick, effective control of adult mosquito populations. Officials say it has very low toxicity profile to mammals and will have negligible impact to non-target insects and the environment.

Along with North Whitehall, West Nile has been detected this summer in mosquitoes in Lower Macungie Township, Salisbury Township, Bethlehem and Allentown. No human cases in the Lehigh Valley have been reported so far.

Here's how to reduce the risk of West Nile around your home:

• 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.

Additionally, these simple precautions can prevent mosquito bites, particularly for people who are most at risk:

• 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.

For more information about West Nile virus and the state's surveillance and control program, please visit www.westnile.state.pa.us