Mercer County Works to Control Growth of Asian Tiger Mosquito Population

Editor's Note: The following is a news release that was issued by the Mercer County administration.

Mercer County is continuing its efforts to control the increasing population of the Asian Tiger Mosquito in the area.  The Mercer County Mosquito Control (MCMC) agency is also hard at work at disease surveillance, prevention, and population control.  Rutgers University’s Department of Entomology, in collaboration with Monmouth and Mercer County Mosquito Commissions and the United States Department of Agriculture, are also working to develop an area-wide management strategy to reduce the presence of the Asian Tiger Mosquito (ATM). 

The Asian Tiger Mosquito, or Aedes albopictus, is a nuisance, but also poses significant public health risks. Unlike most breeds, these “super” mosquitoes prefer to draw blood from humans, bite during the day, and are highly aggressive; even when swatted away, they will return to bite the same victim.  

They are about ¼-inch long, and have white stripes on their black bodies. These winged insects can carry not only West Nile virus, but also Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever and the Chikungunya virus.

“Asian Tiger Mosquitoes present an increasing public health concern for Mercer County, but unfortunately, the pest can be difficult to control due to the larvae's preference for small containers,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “Even something as seemingly innocent as a water-filled bottle cap or a clogged gutter can become a habitat for this mosquito. We really need the assistance of County residents to reduce the mosquito population.”

The local campaign to prevent a population explosion is part of a larger grant, established in 2008 by the USDA, to develop a national action plan to eradicate the ATM. The project has already addressed its first goal: to raise awareness of the mosquito and its associated hazards. 

Now the team needs the help of the community to accomplish its second goal: to eradicate the pest at its source. 

Residents of Mercer County are advised to do the following:

• dispose of old cans, plastic buckets, or other containers that may collect water
• properly dispose of discarded tires
• clean clogged roof gutters periodically
• eliminate water collecting in pool or boat covers
• turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use
• frequently change water in birdbaths and animal-watering troughs
• fill depressions in yards that could accumulate water
• put fine mesh screens on rainwater barrels to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in them.

Standing water that cannot be emptied can be treated with products that target mosquito larvae, like MosquitoDunks, which are available in most local garden centers and hardware stores.  So are sprays that contain Permethrin, a safe insecticide with low toxicity to humans. The insecticide can be applied to gardens and yards to repel and kill adult mosquitoes.  Permethrin does not harm plants, and can be reapplied as needed. Mercer County residents are also advised to wear bug repellent containing DEET. 

For more information about the Asian Tiger Mosquito program, visit the Mercer County Website or call the Mosquito hotline at (609) 530-7501.