PUSH Beaver County

1 week ago

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will conduct a mosquito control operation to decrease populations of mosquitoes and reduce the risk of West Nile virus transmission on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, in North Sewickley Township along Connoquenessing Creek and New Galilee Borough, Beaver County.

Truck-mounted, Ultra Low Volume (ULV) spray equipment will be utilized to spray DeltaGard, a reduced-risk pesticide product registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), applied at a rate of 0.66 oz/acre. The active ingredient in DeltaGard is Deltamethrin. DeltaGard does not contain Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) or any other synergists. This product is diluted with water and designed to provide quick knockdown and effective control of adult mosquitoes.

The control work will begin late in the evening, between the hours of 8:00 PM and 10:30 PM, and the route boundaries will focus on the area of Country Club Drive, Rustic Park Road, Lee Road, Pullman Station, and Aqua Drive in North Sewickley Township and between Pennsylvania Avenue and Maple Street in New Galilee Borough.

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.

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 (short for Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis) 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.

For more information about West Nile virus and the state's surveillance and control program, please visit;
www.dep.pa.gov/westnile. ...