Lower Moreland To Be Sprayed For West Nile virus

LOWER MORELAND, PA — A portion of Lower Moreland Township will be sprayed with an adulticide to help control the population of mosquitoes and limit the spread of West Nile Virus.

The spraying will take place on Wednesday, Sept.1, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Countyline Road and Byberry Road between Huntingdon Pike and Buck Road. County health officials said mosquitoes in the area have tested positive for West Nile.

For up to 30 minutes after the event, residents in that area should stay inside, close windows and doors, and turn off ventilation systems hat draw in outside air.

A truck-mounted sprayer will disburse the Duet Dual-Action adulticide at a rate of 0.75 ounces per acre. Authorities consider it a last measure.

"The adult mosquito program will only be used in limited situations to reduce disease-infected adult mosquitoes," the county health department said in a news release.

A rain date has been set for Thursday, Sept. 2.

A map of the spray area is below:

The Montgomery County Office of Public Health offers the following tips to help eliminate mosquito breeding areas:

• Identify and eliminate all sources of standing water. Mosquitoes will breed in any stagnant water that stands for five or more days.
• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic posts or similar water holding containers. Don't overlook container that have become overgrown by aquatic vegetation.
• Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have collected water. They can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling container that are left outdoors. Drainage holes that are located on the container sides collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed in.
• Have clogged roof gutters cleaned on an annual basis, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to block drains.
• Turn over plastic wading pols when not in use. A wading pool becomes a place for mosquitoes to breed if it is not used on a regular basis.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito breeding grounds if they are allowed to stagnate.
• Keep swimming pools clean and chlorinated. A swimming pool that is left untended becomes a source of mosquito breeding. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.