Adult Mosquito Spraying in Selected Areas of Norristown

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Area of Norristown to Be Sprayed After Mosquito Samples Test Positive for West Nile Virus

Norristown, PA (August 21, 2020) – The Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH), after consulting with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and Norristown municipality officials, will be adulticiding (spraying) to control the adult mosquito population in selected areas. The spraying will be done where sampling by the OPH and PADEP has shown mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus (WNV). For notification of any future spray events sign up with "ReadyMontco" at: www.montcopa.org/readymontco

The spray event will occur, weather permitting on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, from approximately 8:30 p.m., to 10:30 p.m. The alternate date will be Wednesday, August 26, 2020. All areas within the highlighted sections of the attached map will be subjected to the spray.  Spraying will occur between Sterigere and Marshall, Stanbridge to Forrest.

Residents within the spray area should consider remaining indoors, closing windows and turning off ventilation systems that draw-in outside air for the duration of the spray plus 30 minutes afterward.

Workers will be using Duet Duel-action Adulticide at a rate of .75 fluid ounces per acre applied with a truck mounted Ultra Low Volume (ULV) sprayer. The spray will be performed by OPH personnel.

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

For further information about the products being used, visit the OPH website at, www.montcopa.org/wnvinfo.

Here are some at-home tips to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas:

• Identify and eliminate all sources of standing water that collect on your property. Mosquitoes will breed in any stagnant water that lasts for five or more 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 outside. Drainage holes that are located on the container sides collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed.
• 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.

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