Tuesday, July 20, 2004

Mosquito Air Spray Application Scheduled for July 21

In an effort to reduce very high populations of salt marsh mosquitoes, the Atlantic County Office of Mosquito Control will administer an air spray application of the eastern portions of Galloway Township and Port Republic on Wednesday evening, July 21, between 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM, weather permitting. If weather conditions are unfavorable at that time, the application will be rescheduled for Thursday evening, July 22, between 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM. A similar air spray scheduled for last week was canceled due to inclement weather.

The spray area will target the highest concentration of mosquitoes, adjacent to their breeding areas on the salt marsh. Large numbers of the salt marsh mosquitoes emerged along the coast following the high tides several weeks ago. Salt marsh mosquitoes are particularly aggressive to humans and create a considerable nuisance. This type of mosquito has also tested positive for the West Nile virus.

The air spray application will consist of a very low volume of malathion applied at the rate of three ounces per acre. It will be sprayed by aircraft from Chanese Lane north along Route 9 and Old New York Road to Port Republic and east to the salt marsh. A map of the spray area is available on the county Web page at: www.aclink.org/PublicWorks/mosquito.

For more information on spray activities call the Atlantic County Office of Mosquito Control at (609) 645-5948. Up-to-the-minute spray schedules are also available on the West Nile virus information line at 1-877-6-4FACTS, 24 hours a day.

Click here for map of spray area

County News