Collingswood to Get Mosquito Spraying Wednesday, Oaklyn Thursday

Last summer it was the drought that kept alive some of the pestiest pests that plague the low-lying areas of Camden County; this summer, it's been wet, which means more opportunities for them to breed.

But in response to the record rainfall that hit Camden County on Sunday, the Camden County Mosquito Commission is going to drop the hammer on those dirty bloodsuckers this week.

Collingswood, your dose of bug juice is due Wednesday July 31, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., weather permitting, in the following areas:

• Maple Avenue to Roberts Park from Hillcrest to Garfield
• Haddon Avenue to Emerald Ave from East Stiles to Penn Avenue
• Linwood Avenue to Mansion Ave from Dayton Avenue to West Cuthbert Boulevard
• Woodlawn Avenue to South Park Drive from Conger Avenue to Burwood Avenue
• Atlantic Avenue to Haddon Avenue between Merion Terrace and West Wayne Terrace

Oaklyn, you've got a dose of relief on the horizon as well. On Friday, August 1, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., the skeeter squad will hit up:

• Newton Avenue to the White Horse Pike
• Congress Avenue to Landis Avenue between Manor Avenue and West Cedar Avenue
• Kendall Boulevard from Washington Avenue to Eden Avenue

County officials say the mosquito spray is not harmful to humans or pets, "but you should avoid direct contact if you have respiratory concerns or are sensitive to irritants."

The county also offered the following tips for mosquito prevention:

"Residents should check their property for any object that holds water for more than a few days. All pre-adult mosquito stages (eggs, larvae, and pupae) must be in stagnant water in order to develop into adult mosquitoes.                                                                                              

• Swimming pools are a common problem. All pools must be checked and maintained to keep them mosquito-free. Swimming pools can breed mosquitoes within days after you stop adding chlorine or other disinfectant. Pool covers can catch rainwater and become a mosquito development site. Add a little chlorine to kill mosquitoes.
• Maintain screens to prevent adult mosquitoes from entering your home or business.
• Personal protection is strongly urged if you are outside when mosquitoes may be active—generally dawn and dusk. Insect repellants containing between 10-35% DEET are very effective, however, be sure to follow the label directions and take extra precautions with children and infants.

"The Camden County Mosquito Commission suggests checking around your yard for mosquito breeding containers. The following is a checklist of tips to help eliminate mosquito breeding:

• Dispose of unnecessary containers that hold water. Containers you wish to save turn upside down or put holes in the bottom so all water drains out.   
• Lift up flowerpots and dump the water from the dish underneath every week.
• Stock fish or add mosquito larvicide to ornamental ponds.
• Change water in bird baths, fountains, and animal troughs weekly.
• Screen vents to septic and other water tanks.
• Store large boats so they drain and small boats upside down. If covered, keep the tarp tight so water does not pool on top of the tarp.
• Do not dump leaves or grass clippings into a catch basin or streams.
• Do not allow water to collect on sagging tarps or awnings.
• Do not allow trashcan lids to fill with water.
• Check downspouts that are able to hold enough water to allow mosquito larvae to mature.

More questions? Contact the Camden County Mosquito Commission at (856) 566-2945 or skeeters@camdencounty.com.