Portions Of Upper Merion To Be Sprayed For West Nile Virus Control

UPPER MERION, PA — Portions of Upper Merion Township will be sprayed Wednesday to help control the spread of West Nile Virus, the Montgomery County Department of Health announced.

It will take place from 8:15 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Aug. 26 around Heuser Park, a portion of the Schuylkill River West Trail, and township adjacent open space.

It's the second spraying in this part of the county in the space of three days, after Norristown Farm Park was treated on Monday night.

An exact map of the spray area is below:

The decision to spray was made after sampling revealed West Nile-carrying mosquitoes in various locations in the area.

Nearby residents should consider staying indoors during the spraying, county officials said, as well as closing windows and turning off ventilation systems.

County health workers will apply a spray called Duet Duel-Action adulticide from an all terrain vehicle ultra low volume sprayer.

The sprayer sends a mist into the air that kills mosquitoes on contact.

The adulticide breaks down with sunlight and leaves no residue behind. Officials say the spray, which contains sumithrin and prallethrin, is not harmful to humans, mammals, or plants when applied as intended by professionals.