The Bucks County West Nile Program is expected to conduct a spraying for mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile Virus on Friday, August 12 in Wrightstown Township.
The treatments will be administered via truck-mounted equipment and have a very low toxicity profile to mammals and non-target insects.
Weather conditions or other unexpected events could delay or cancel the spray operation until the following day.
For additional information about adult mosquitoes and West Nile Virus, please go to http://www.westnile.state.pa.us/. The Bucks County Department of Health can be reached at 215-345-3318.
To protect yourself from mosquitoes:
• 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:
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• 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.
