Mosquito Control Practices Planned In Stratford

STRATFORD, CT — In an effort to prevent illnesses such as West Nile virus carried by mosquitoes, the Stratford Health Department is teaming up with the town’s Public Works Department to treat the town’s 5,283 catch basins with a non-toxic larvicide, according to officials.

“Stratford will be treating all of our catch basins starting later in July, weather permitting, and will continue through the summer season, as needed and as funding permits,” said Kelly Kerrigan, the town’s Environmental Conservation Superintendent.

Kerrigan advises that residents can do their part by reducing standing water on their property to limit areas where mosquitoes can breed. Residents can also purchase larvicide brickettes or “dunks” at local hardware stores or places like Home Depot to treat areas on their property where water may pool.

“We track mosquito surveillance data from the state agricultural stations located here in Town at Beacon Point and Beaver Dam Road, and so far all of the mosquitoes have been negative for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis,” Stratford Health Director Andrea Boissevain said in a news release.

Boissevain and Kerrigan outlined the following tips on how to avoid mosquito bites and decrease mosquito activity around your home:

REMOVE STANDING WATER

• Rid your property of extra standing water. Artificial containers such as barrels and birdbaths are frequently used by mosquitoes for laying eggs.
• Cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools that are not being used, including pool covers.
• Cleaning clogged gutters.
• Drilling holes in bottom of recycling containers.
• Fixing holes in your screens.
• For commercial properties with flat roofs, check for standing water to reduce mosquito-breeding sites.

WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are most active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Minimizing time spent outdoors around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Be sure door and windows screens are tight fighting and in good repair.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small babies when outdoors.

USE INSECT REPELLENT

• Considering using mosquito repellent, as directed, when outdoors.
• Repellents made with 20-30 percent of the active ingredient DEET are very effective when used properly; however, DO NOT USE ON CHILDREN UNDER 2 years of age.

The state started their mosquitoes collecting and testing program June 1. They test for the presence of WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, through October. For more information on mosquito control, visit the Stratford Health Department’s website at www.stratfordct.gov/health.