County Sets Thursday Mosquito Spraying

New Jersey hasn't experienced the occurrance of West Nile disease some parts of the country have, but after recent rain storms, Somerset County isn't going to give the little parasites a chance.

The county's Mosquito Control Program will be spraying for adult mosquitos in Green Brook Thursday, treating the area south of Route 22 from Rock Avenue to Washington Avenue.

The spraying should make outdoor activities and back yard games more comfortable.

"I think there has been an increase in mosquitos this summer," resident Scott Leonardis said. "My kids' legs are probably pretty good evidence of that—they get eaten up whenever they are at the park around dusk." 

According to the Somerset County website, the county uses a variety of methods to fight mosquitos. Spraying efforts use "biorational and chemical larvicides." The website notes "Biorational larvicides are pesticides of natural origin that have limited or no adverse effect on the environment or beneficial organisms. They are found in soil everywhere, are used quite extensively, and offer effective control as well. Somerset County uses the following biorational pesticides: Vectobac (bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), Vectolex CG (bacillus sphaericus). Our chemical pesticides are Altosid Briquets (methoprene), and Bonide (Mineral Oil)." 

Thursday's truck-mounted spraying is deemed the "final line of defense" against adult mosquito, following guidelines set by Rutgers University and regulations set by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The website includes this information on reducing mosquito populatiosn arond your home:

"If you and your neighbors in Somerset County do not like mosquitoes in and around your house and yard, there is something you can do to help yourself. The most important part of mosquito control is denying the mosquito a place to lay eggs. If there is no standing or stagnant water there is less of a chance for eggs to be laid in the area. There is at least one type of mosquito that can lay eggs in a container as small as a bottle cap. Any possible sources of standing water must be looked at as a potential breeding ground. The northern house mosquito does not normally migrate far from their breeding site, (less than one mile) so problems are most often local. 
Treating the water with insecticides helps in controlling mosquitoes, but treatments must be repeated because mosquitoes return as soon as the insecticide biodegrades. Chemical control of mosquitoes is expensive and never as effective as the elimination of breeding sites.

To control mosquitoes in and around the home:

1. Eliminate unnecessary water holding containers, especially tires, large cans and bottles.
2. Keep water clean in children’s wading pools and drain them when not in use.
3. Keep ditches and streams adjoining your property free of grass clippings, garbage, and other debris, which will obstruct the natural flow of water.
4. Keep weeds and grass cut short during the summer months. Report vacant lots that are not maintained properly to city or local officials.
5. Make sure stored boats are covered and water drains out of them completely. Store small boats upside down.
6. Change water in birdbaths, fountains and troughs weekly.
7. Clean roof gutters. Maintain rain gutters and down spouts, make certain that no water remains on flat roofs after rains.
8. Make sure septic wastewater does not lie on the ground surface and cesspools are sealed with screened vents.
9. Small depressions in your yard can be filled to prevent the collection of water
10. Discourage mosquitoes from reproducing in your neighborhood by eliminating trash and containers that may hold water, such as cans, jars, and old tires."