Larviciding
Ground Larviciding
Mosquito Control maintains records on over 3,000 known mosquito-breeding locations within the County. The recorded locations are divided among County inspectors. During the active mosquito breeding season, each inspector will be assigned additional two-person teams known as larviciders (killers of larvae). Inspectors provide a route list to each team daily. The route is based on daily surveillance and monitoring.
Teams are assigned a vehicle equipped with a hydraulic sprayer. The sprayer is filled with a dilute emulsion of Abate® 4E. The larviciders conduct larval mosquito surveillance at each location. The locations found to be breeding are treated appropriately. Other products include Bti dunks, pellets and liquid, Altosid® pellets and briquets, Agnique monomolecular film, Abate packets, and Golden Bear oil. These products are used for larval and pupal control.Abate is a species-specific organo-phosphate that breaks down in the environment within 36 hours. Altosid is a growth hormone that attacks mosquito larvae. Bti is a natural bacteria affecting only mosquito and black fly larvae.
Aerial Larviciding
Since 1976, Mosquito Control has conducted aerial larviciding. The County helicopter is used for surveillance and treatment of large areas of standing water. There are approximately 160 air blocks that inspectors check for larvae. When larvae are present, the list is turned over to the County pilot to treat with a granular larvicide. Three products are used: Abate 5BG, Vectobac CG and VectoPrimeFG.
Biological Control
Biological control efforts are natural methods, part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The County has many locations that utilize Gambusia affinis and fathead minnows to control mosquitoes. All potential stocking sites are surveyed by staff following the protocol established by the NJ State Mosquito Control Commission, which provides the fish.
Requests for Service
Public participation in the County’s mosquito program is measured in part by the number of requests for service received. A staff member responds to each request. Requests can be made by telephone or online.
Record keeping/Notification
Mosquito Control maintains all records of surveillance and applications of pesticides by employees. These records are kept in compliance with regulations promulgated by the NJDEP (NJAC Title 7 Chapter 30 Subchapters 1-11).
In accordance with FAA regulations, the Division annually contacts all County municipalities advising them that it may be necessary for Mosquito Control to apply pesticides aerially by helicopter for mosquito control. They are asked to give consent to allow overflights of their respective communities. Local police departments are notified before any aerial applications of pesticide are made.
Mosquito Control advertises in newspapers having countywide circulation every 23 days during the active mosquito-breeding season, notifying the public of the possibility of communitywide adult mosquito control operations. Beekeepers registered with the NJDEP and within 3 miles of a treatment area are notified beforehand. Information packets about mosquito control pesticides used by the Division are sent annually to all municipal clerks to have available for public review.