The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) and the Luzerne Conservation District (LCD) Vector Control Programs will be conducting truck mounted ultra-low volume (ULV) mosquito control operations in the following areas:
- Kingston
- Avoca
- Edwardsville
- Forty Fort
- Pittston
- Swoyersville
- West Pittston
- Wyoming
- Wilkes-Barre
Residential and recreational areas in these municipalities will be sprayed for adult mosquitoes. The control work will begin at dusk on Monday, September 20th. We ask that residents please stay indoors during this operation.
High populations of nuisance mosquitoes and those that are capable of transmitting West Nile Virus have been detected in these areas, though ongoing testing and surveillance may change or cancel areas where control work is anticipated.
The truck mounted ULV spray will be conducted by PA DEP and LCD. PA DEP and LCD employees will be onsite for the application. The business license for PADEP is BU 5976 and LCD’s is BU 11113. The product used will be Aquaduet applied at a rate of 1 ounce or less per acre. This product is designed to provide quick knockdown and effective control of adult mosquitoes. The application material has a very low toxicity profile to mammals and will have negligible impact to non-target insects and the environment.
Weather conditions and other unexpected events could delay or cancel this spray operation. If this operation is cancelled, it will be rescheduled for Tuesday, September 21th. Please contact DEP at 717-215-2027 if there are any questions or concerns.
Individuals can take a number of precautionary measures around their homes to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas, including:
- Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar containers that hold water.
- Properly dispose of discarded tires that can collect water. Stagnant water is where most mosquitoes breed.
- Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.
- Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year as the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug drains.
- Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
- Turn over wheelbarrows and don’t let water stagnate in birdbaths.
- Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use and remove any water that may collect on pool covers. If a resident has stagnant pools of water on their property, they can buy BTI products at lawn and garden, outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. This naturally occurring bacterium kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.
Additionally, these simple precautions can prevent mosquito bites, particularly for people who are most at risk:
- 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 repellents according to the manufacturer’s instructions. An effective repellent will contain DEET, picardin, or lemon eucalyptus oil. Consult with a pediatrician or family physician for questions about the use of repellent on children, as repellent is not recommended for children under the age of two months.
For more information about West Nile Virus or the state’s surveillance and control program, please visit: https://gis.dep.pa.gov/WNV/index.html