Fairmount Park To Be Sprayed For Mosquitoes: Officials

PHILADELPHIA – Fairmount Park in Philadelphia will be sprayed for mosquitoes Monday evening to combat the potential spread of West Nile Virus, the city announced Monday morning.

Spraying will occur in the area of Strawberry Mansion, officials said.

Weather permitting, spraying will take place in the area between Ridge Avenue/33rd Street and Kelly Drive, as well as near Strawberry Mansion Bridge and Reservoir Drives.

Samples taken by Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Vector Control staff in this area have shown adult mosquito populations that can carry the West Nile virus.

The treatments will be administered via a truck-mounted machine spraying fine aerosol droplets.

The mist stays aloft and kills mosquitoes on contact.

The truck-mounted operation will spray Duet, a synthetic pyrethroid, a product that has no residual effects, and evaporates quickly into the atmosphere.

The synthetic pyrethroid, derived from the chrysanthemum flower, has no ill effects on human health.

While the spray is not harmful to humans or pets, it is recommended that residents in the area take children and pets inside if they see the trucks spraying.

Certain mosquitoes species carry West Nile virus, which, when transmitted to people, can cause West Nile encephalitis, and infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain.

Individuals are urged to take personal protection precautions.

Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn.

Be sure to use insect repellent with an EPA registered active ingredient and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.

Individuals can take a number of measures around the home to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas, including:

• Dispose of or turn over anything can hold water on your property;
• Drain or dispose of discarded tires where mosquitoes breed;
• Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers;
• Have clogged roof gutters cleaned;
• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use;
• Don’t let water stagnate in birdbaths;
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish;
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools. A swimming pool left untended by a family on vacation for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in a neighborhood-wide problem.

To prevent mosquito bites:

• Make sure screens fit tightly over doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of homes;
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly when mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, or in areas known to have 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, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus;
• Consult with a pediatrician or family physician about the use of repellent on children. (Repellent is not recommended for children under the age of two months.)

Visit the state's website on West Nile Virus for more information about West Nile virus and the state’s surveillance and control program. For questions of the West Nile Virus program in Philadelphia. call (215) 685-9000.

Images via Shutterstock, City of Philadelphia