Anti-Mosquito Spraying Planned In Pennypack, Fairmount Parks

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is planning to spray a few areas with anti-mosquito treatments this week, officials said.

Spraying will take place Wednesday evening in Pennypack Park and Thursday evening in Fairmount park. Both spraying operations will occur at or around dusk, officials said.

Specific areas being sprayed are featured below:

Samples taken by Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Vector Control staff in the targeted area have shown adult mosquito populations that can potentially carry the West Nile virus.

The treatments will be administered via a truck-mounted machine spraying fine aerosol droplets. The mist stays aloft and kills mosquitoes on contact. The truck-mounted operation will spray DeltAgard, which is a synthetic pyrethroid. This product has no residual effects and evaporates quickly into the atmosphere. Certain mosquitoes species carry West Nile virus, which, when transmitted to people, can cause West Nile encephalitis, and infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain.

Individuals are urged to take personal protection precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn.

Be sure to use insect repellent with an EPA registered active ingredient and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.

Individuals can take a number of measures around the home to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas, including:

• Removing things that can catch and hold water, like trash cans, plastic containers, or pots.
• Drilling holes in the bottom of outdoor trash cans and recycling containers.
• Turning over plastic baby pools at the end of the day.
• Removing old tires.
• Having clogged roof gutters cleaned; roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
• Changing the water in birdbaths frequently.
• Cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools; a swimming pool left untended by a family on vacation for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in a neighborhood-wide problem.

To prevent mosquito bites:

• Make sure screens fit tightly over doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly when mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, or in areas known to have large numbers of mosquitoes.
• When possible, reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk during peak mosquito periods, usually April through October.
• Use insect repellents according to the manufacturer’s instructions. An effective repellent will contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Consult with a pediatrician or family physician about the use of repellent on children. (Repellent is not recommended for children under the age of two months.)