For Immediate Release:

September 18, 2015  

County to combat West Nile Virus appearance in Belmar, Spring Lake Heights and Wall Township

Mosquito Control will be ground spraying 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. tonight

Weather permitting, the Mosquito Control staff will conduct a ground spray operation residential streets from the Wall Township border (16th Avenue) north to 11th Avenue and west of the railroad in Belmar; on residential streets north of Allaire Road between Old Mill Road and Route 71 in Spring Lake Heights; and on residential streets south of the Belmar border, north of the Spring Lake Heights border and between Route 35 and the railroad in Wall.

“The goal of the ground spray program is to reduce the public health risk from WNV in the area,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso, liaison to the Mosquito Control Division. “It is also important to remember to always wear insect repellent when outdoors, even if it is only for a few minutes.”

As a precautionary measure, treatment area residents and their pets should remain inside during the control operation. Spraying will not be conducted in the event of excessive wind or inclement weather.

The application will be made using truck-mounted ultra-low volume equipment dispensing a very fine mist of the pesticides Duet or Zenivex. Duet is a d-phenothrin/prallethrin and piperonyl butoxide based pesticide product that is used to control mosquitoes in outdoor residential and recreational areas. Zenivex contains a pesticide called Etofenprox, a member of the category of pesticides called non-ester pyrethroids and is considered a reduced risk pesticide by USEPA.

More information about Duet and Zenivex can also be found on the Mosquito Control webpage at www.VisitMonmouth.com.

People who become infected with WNV are bitten by an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected with WNV when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to humans and other animals. Most people who get infected with WNV experience mild symptoms; however, some can develop life-changing and life-threatening symptoms such as encephalitis.

“It is important to learn the ways to reduce your risks of being bitten by a mosquito,” said DiMaso. “There are many insect-borne diseases and taking steps to reduce your risk of getting bitten could save your life.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says people can reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes and, as a result, lower their exposure to insect-borne diseases by following some simple steps:

When outdoors, apply insect repellent, following the label instructions – especially for use on children;
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever possible, and
Avoid outdoor activity at peak mosquito times – dusk and dawn.

When enjoying the outdoors, whether at home or while traveling, make sure to always wear insect repellent. Repellents that contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus will help protect you and your family from both ticks and mosquitoes.

Removing all areas of standing water in and around homes and businesses will stop mosquitoes from breeding. Prior to removal, standing water can be treated with pesticides to kill mosquito larvae.

“Seven days plus standing water equals mosquitoes,” said DiMaso. “Mosquitoes breed where there is standing water. So, turnover any unused flower pots and outdoor toys. If you have old tires on your property, they also need to be emptied of any standing water, or, better yet, stored indoors or recycled.”

WNV is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) most commonly spread by infected mosquitoes. WNV can cause febrile (fever) illness, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). WNV was first detected in North America in 1999.

Mosquito Control has information and useful materials about WNV on www.visitmonmouth.com.

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