Mosquito Sprayings Not Scheduled for Armstrong

The Department of Environmental Protection will apply treatments this week in the mornings of Hanover Borough, York County, to control larval and adult mosquito populations, but are not supposed to be back in Armstrong County this summer.

The treatments in other parts of the state will be administered by truck-mounted equipment to spray areas throughout the borough. The equipment dispenses Methoprene SR5 at a rate of 0.75 ounces per acre for larval control and Duet at a rate of 0.62 ounces per acre for adult mosquito control.

These products are designed to provide quick, effective control of adult mosquito populations. The application materials have a very low toxicity profile to mammals and are safe for the environment.

High levels of Asian Tiger mosquitoes (ATM) have been detected in the affected area. This type of mosquito does not typically carry West Nile virus.

These treatments are part of a pilot project to control the ATM population. If these efforts are successful, this strategy will be employed in other ATM-infested areas of the state.

Certain mosquito species carry the West Nile virus, which can cause humans to contract West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all residents in areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of contracting West Nile encephalitis.

Mosquito samples in 19 counties have been identified with the West Nile virus so far this year. However, according to a press aide with the Department of Environmental Protection, no affected mosquitoes have been found in Armstrong County.

The closest affected insects can be found in Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence Counties.

For those traveling this summer that are concerns, some simple precautions include:

• Make sure screens fit tightly over doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
• Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly when mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, or in areas known for having large numbers of mosquitoes.
• When possible, reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk during peak mosquito periods, usually April through October.
• Use insect repellants according to the manufacturer’s instructions. An effective repellant will contain DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil. Consult with a pediatrician or family physician for questions about the use of repellant on children, as repellant is not recommended for children under the age of two months.

For more information about West Nile virus and the state’s surveillance and control program, visitwww.westnile.state.pa.us.

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