Thursday, July 22, 2004

Mosquito Air Spray Application Rescheduled for July 23

An air spray application administered by the Atlantic County Office of Mosquito Control of the eastern portions of Galloway Township and Port Republic has been rescheduled for Friday evening, July 23, between 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM. The air spray was originally scheduled for July 21, with a rain date of July 22, to help reduce high populations of salt marsh mosquitoes, but was rescheduled due to mechanical difficulties with the air craft. 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.

Neither the federal Environmental Protection Agency nor the state Department of Environmental Protection requires relocating or taking special precautions during mosquito control spraying with this product. Some people, however, may prefer to avoid or minimize exposure by staying indoors, keeping windows shut, shutting off room air conditioners and window fans during spraying, keeping children's toys indoors as well as pets and their supplies.

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 a map of spray area and additional information

County News