Milford Kicks-Off 2024 Mosquito Control Program

Editor's Note: This information was written and shared by the city of Milford's Health Department

MILFORD, CT — The Milford Health Department kicked-off the annual Mosquito Control Program in April with All Habitat Services monitoring the wetlands habitats in Milford and treating the marshy areas throughout the City.

The primary focus of the program is on preventive efforts through mosquito breeding site reduction, especially in densely populated areas, and education about personal protection.

“In order to decrease the incidence of human transmission of West Nile Virus (WNV), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and associated diseases, the interaction between mosquitoes and humans should be minimized,” said Deepa D. Joseph, Director of Health at the Milford Health Department, “Our program aims to reduce the number of adult mosquitoes through consistent site monitoring and applying treatments of larvicide to key breeding sites.”

In June, the CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) will begin mosquito monitoring throughout Connecticut to identify, trap and test insects for early detection of WNV and EEE. Mosquito trapping is conducted daily from June through October at 108 permanent locations throughout the state.

“With spring rains and warmer weather upon us, residents can expect to see more mosquito activity. The mosquito control program utilizes a comprehensive approach to protecting our residents from mosquito-borne diseases and reducing the negative impact of nuisance mosquitoes on outdoor activities,” said Anthony Giannattasio, Mayor of the City of Milford.

The Milford Health Department advises residents to follow the 3 Ds for protection:

• DRAIN! or dump any standing water that may produce mosquitoes, including in ceramic pots, used tires, tree holes and other cavities in plants.
• DRESS! Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. When practical, wear long sleeves and pants.
• DEFEND! against mosquito bites by using a mosquito repellent that has been registered by the
Environmental Protection Agency, such as DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of lemon eucalyptus. Find the
insect repellent that’s right for you by using EPA’s search tool.

For additional prevention tips or more information, visit the Milford Health Department website at http://www.ci.milford.ct.us/environmental-health-division/pages/mosquito-control. To report unusual numbers of mosquitoes, please contact the Milford Health Department at 203-783-3287.