West Nile Virus Season Update: Prevention in LM Starts Wednesday

The following information was taken from a press release:

The Montgomery County Health Department (MCHD), after consulting with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), Upper Moreland and Lower Moreland Township officials, will be adulticiding (spraying) to control the adult mosquito population in selected sections of Upper Moreland and Lower Moreland Township.

• Albidale Park and surrounding streets, Lower Moreland Twp. The streets may include, but are not limited to the following: Korisa Dr., Longview Dr., Buck Rd., Raikes Rd., Spring Run Rd., Oriole Dr., Oriole Ln., Meadow Lark Dr., Black Angus Dr., Furrow Ln., Warfield Ln., Warfield Dr., Broadmoor Rd., Red Barn Ln., Barnswallow Ln., Wheatsheaf Rd., Ridgeview Rd., Bobwhite, Ln., Killdeer Ln. and Hunter's Turn.

• Chapel Hill Waste Water Treatment Plant, Lower Moreland Municipal Complex and adjacent industrial areas, Lower Moreland Twp.

• Pellege Park and surrounding streets, Upper Moreland Twp. The streets may include, but are not limited to the following: Acorn Pl., Butternut Dr., Pioneer Rd., Shoemaker Rd., Jason Dr., Gum Pl., Oakwood Dr. and Elder Dr.

The spraying will be done where sampling by the Health Department and PADEP has shown a high mosquito population that could potentially carry the West Nile Virus. The spraying will be done, weather permitting, on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 from approximately 8:30pm to 11:30pm. The rain date will be Thursday, August 18, 2011.

All spraying will be performed by MCHD. There will be no aerial spraying. The spraying will be done, weather permitting. Workers will be using Biomist 3+15 ULV at a rate of 1.5 fluid ounces per acre with a truck mounted Ultra Low Volume (ULV) sprayer. The spraying will be done during the evening.

The Health Department will work with appropriate agencies to identify,
eliminate or treat with larvacide, areas where mosquitoes are breeding. Residents may contact the Health Department at 610-278-5117 if they are concerned about an area of standing water that may be a breeding area. The adult mosquito control program will only be used in limited situations to reduce large numbers of adult mosquitoes.

For further information about the products being used, visit the EPA website at:

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/

There are things that everyone can do around the home to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas. Some of these tips include:

• Identify and eliminate all sources of standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes will breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days.
• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water holding containers that have collected on your property. Do not overlook containers that have become overgrown by aquatic vegetation.
• Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have collected water on your property. They can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left out of doors. Drainage holes that are located on the container sides collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed in.
• Have clogged roof gutters cleaned on an annual basis, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to block drains.
• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. A wading pool becomes a place for mosquitoes to breed if it is not used on a regular basis.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito breeding grounds if they are allowed to stagnate.
• Keep swimming pools clean and chlorinated. A swimming pool that is left untended becomes a source of mosquito breeding. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.