West Nile Virus (Credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/Unsplash)
The Bucks County Department of Health Mosquito Disease Control Program will conduct an ultra-low volume (ULV) mosquito control operation Wednesday, beginning at 8 p.m. in Northampton Township and Warminster Township to reduce high populations of nuisance mosquitoes and mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile Virus.
The treatment will be administered via truck-mounted equipment, spraying mosquito habitats in residential and park locations. Trucks used in the spray are identified with Bucks County seal logos located on the doors. The equipment dispenses Duet at a rate of 0.75 ounces per acre. This product is designed to provide quick, effective control of adult mosquito populations. These application materials have a very low toxicity profile to mammals and will have negligible impact to non-target insects and the environment.
Treatments will occur in Northampton Township at the Northampton Municipal Park bound by Hatboro Road, New Road, Bristol Road, and Froghollow Road.
Treatments will occur in Warminster Township bound by Olive Street, Park Avenue, Madison Avenue, Aspen Street, and Evergreen Avenue. In addition, Warminster Community Park and Munro Park will be treated.
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 Pennsylvania Department of Health, all residents in areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of contracting West Nile encephalitis.
Weather conditions and other unexpected events could delay or cancel this spray operation. If conditions do not allow application on August 13, subsequently Thursday evening, August 14, will serve as the back-up spray date.
You can help protect yourself and your community from West Nile Virus by getting rid of standing water around your home. Mosquitoes can breed in even small amounts of water that could be found in items including flowerpots, buckets, toys and clogged gutters. Using bug spray and wearing long sleeves, especially around dawn and dusk, can also help keep bites away.
To learn more about mosquitoes and West Nile Virus, click here.
If you have questions or want to report a concern, give the Bucks County Department of Health a call at 215-345-3318.
Pesticide safety data information: Duet MSDS
