Monday, August 16, 2004

Mosquito Air Spray Scheduled for August 17

In an effort to reduce very high populations of salt marsh mosquitoes, the Atlantic County Office of Mosquito Control has scheduled an air spray application of the eastern portions of Galloway Township and Port Republic for Tuesday evening, August 17, between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM, weather permitting. If weather conditions are unfavorable at that time, the application will be rescheduled for Wednesday evening, August 18, between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

The spray area will target the highest concentration of mosquitoes, adjacent to their breeding areas on the salt marsh. Several wide spread overlapping broods of salt marsh mosquitoes emerged along the coast following recent heavy rainfalls and an extended tidal flooding earlier this month. 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.

For a map of the spray area and more information, click here.

County News