The Bucks County Department of Health (BCDH) West Nile Virus Mosquito Control Program on Tuesday, Aug. 23, will conduct an ultra-low volume (ULV) mosquito control operation to reduce high populations of nuisance mosquitoes and mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile Virus in Newtown, Northampton and Warminster townships.
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 Biomist 3+15 at a rate 1.5 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 Newtown Township in the boundaries of Tyler State Park. In Northampton Township, treatments will occur in the boundaries of the Northampton Valley Country Club.
In Warminster Township, areas bounded by Tennyson Dr., Mueller Rd., Ivyland Rd., Brennan Dr., Bellemeade Dr., Bristol Rd., Mearns Rd., Catherine St., Street Rd., Orchard Ave., and Mason Dr. Also, areas bounded by Potter St., Jacksonville Rd., Adams Ave., Mercer St., Deb Ln., Luff Ln., Hardman Ln., Street Rd., Newtown Rd., Woodlawn Rd., and Syzmanek Park will be treated. Additional parks in Warminster Township, including Werner Park, Munro Park, and Warminster Community Park, also will be treated.
In addition to the ULV operations, the BCDH will also be conducting truck mounted liquid larviciding operations in Warminster Township in areas bounded by Evergreen Ave., Olive Ave., Park Ave., Juniper St., Madison Ave., and E. County Line Rd. The equipment dispenses Altosid SR5 larviciding solution at the rate of 4 ounces of active ingredient/acre. This product is designed to disrupt the breeding of mosquitoes in woodland pools and artificial containers. The application material has a very low toxicity profile to mammals and will have negligible impact on non-target insects and the environment.
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 Aug. 23, subsequently Wednesday evening, Aug. 24, will serve as the back-up spray date.
For additional information about adult mosquitoes and West Nile Virus, please go to www.dep.pa.gov/westnile . The Bucks County Department of Health can be reached at 215-345-3318.
Media Contact: James O'Malley, 215-348-6414, jtomalley@buckscounty.org
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