Borough Of Phoenixville: Chester County Health Department: Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Press release from the Borough of Phoenixville:

August 13, 2021

Residents should inspect their yards and spend time to clean up, reduce yard clutter, and dump out any sources of stagnant water.  Residents may also purchase a variety of mosquito control and repellent products from most home and garden centers.  Performing a community-wide cleanup helps reduce mosquito populations.  Municipalities are encouraged to help promote cleaning up to reduce mosquito concerns and disease risk.  Storm water management systems can sometimes contribute to mosquito populations and are also monitored by CCHD’s Mosquito Borne Disease Control Program.

Many of the most common mosquito species in residential areas come from artificial containers left behind by people. Artificial containers can be something as small as a bottle cap and as large as a swimming pool. Additional containers such as tires, buckets, and tarps are preferred by mosquitoes because other predators found in nature which would prey on mosquito larvae are not present.  During periods of drought, these containers continue to hold water and produce mosquitoes. One bucket or tire in someone’s backyard can produce hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes in a year.

Mosquitoes can complete their life cycle within five to seven days during May-October. Residents are encouraged to use mosquito repellents when spending time outside.  Individuals who don’t like to use repellents can use an electric fan outside while on a porch or patio.  Mosquitoes don’t like the wind and the fan can help keep them away.  As a last resort, residents can also purchase insecticides from garden centers and hardware stores to apply in their own yard, but need to be sure to follow the label instructions.

Chester County residents can visit CCHD’s Mosquito Borne Disease website  They can also call CCHD’s Mosquito Borne Disease Control Program at 610-344-6225.  CCHD attempts to educate residents about the importance of cleaning up and eliminating mosquito habitats.  Individuals can also report mosquito issues to CCHD at the following website.

This press release was produced by the Borough of Phoenixville. The views expressed here are the author’s own.