The county will be spraying for mosquitoes in Lower Moreland – there are reports online

NORRISTOWN — The Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH), in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and Lower Moreland Township officials, will be spraying to control adult mosquito populations in select areas. Spraying will be carried out where OPH and PADEP samples have shown mosquitoes to be carrying West Nile Virus (WNV). To be notified of any upcoming sprays, sign up for “ReadyMontco” at www.montcopa.org/ReadyMontco.

Spraying will take place, weather permitting, for Zone 1 on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, and for Zone 2 on Thursday, August 25, 2022. The spraying dates will be Monday, August 29, 2022 for Zone 1, and Tuesday, August 30, 2022 for Zone 2. Both sprayings will occur from approximately 7:45 PM to 10:30 PM. Residents of the spraying area should stay indoors, close windows and turn off ventilation systems that take in outside air while spraying. spray plus 30 minutes after that.

Workers will apply Duet® Duel-Action Adulticide at a rate of 0.75 fluid ounces per acre using a truck-mounted Ultra Low Volume (ULV) sprayer. Spraying will be done by OPH personnel.

OPH will work with appropriate agencies to identify, eliminate, and/or treat with larvicide mosquito breeding sites. Residents can contact OPH at 610.278.5117 if they are concerned about an area with standing water where mosquitoes can breed. The adult mosquito control program will only be used in limited situations to reduce the number of infected adult mosquitoes.

For more information on the products used, visit the OPH website at www.montcopa.org/wnvinfo.

A few tips around the house to help get rid of mosquito breeding grounds:

Identify and eliminate all sources of standing water that collect on your property.

Mosquitoes will breed in any standing water that lasts five or more days.

Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar containers for holding water that have collected on your property. Do not overlook containers that are overgrown with aquatic vegetation.

Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have collected water on your lot. They can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors. Drainage holes located on the sides of the container collect enough water for mosquito breeding.

Clean clogged roof gutters annually, especially if leaves from surrounding trees tend to clog the gutters.

Turn plastic swimming pools upside down when not in use. A swimming pool becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes if it is not used regularly.

Turn wheelbarrows over and prevent stagnant water in birdbaths.

Aerate decorative pools or fill them with fish. Water gardens are trendy, but become prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes if allowed to stagnate.

Keep the pools clean and chlorinated. A pool left unattended becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Be aware that mosquitoes can even breed in water that collects on pool covers.