The Bucks County Department of Health (BCDH) West Nile Virus Mosquito Control Program 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 Tuesday, Aug. 16, in Bensalem and Middletown 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 Bensalem Township in areas bounded by Franklin Mills Circle, Knights Road, Virginia Avenue, and Finlay Avenue. In addition, Bensalem Country Club will be treated.
In Middletown Township the Snowball Gate area bounded by Snowball Drive, the Forsythia Gate area bounded by Forsythia Drive and Trenton Road, the Red Rose Gate area bounded by Forsythia Drive, Bristol Oxford Valley Rd., and Red Rose Drive, the Juniper Hill Area bounded by Frosty Hollow road, Bristol Oxford Valley Road, and Juniper Drive, the Lower Orchard area bounded by New Falls Road, Long Loop Road, and Lower Orchard Drive, the Upper Orchard area bounded by Frosty Hollow Road, Upper Orchard Drive, and Veterans Way will be treated. In addition, Mill Creek Valley Park will be treated.
In addition to the ULV operations, the BCDH will also be conducting truck mounted liquid larviciding operations in Bensalem Township in the areas of the Bensalem Country Club. 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. 16, subsequently Wednesday evening, Aug. 17, 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