Allegheny County Hoping To Thwart Mosquito Menace

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Allegheny County Health Department has begun treating wetlands in 20 municipalities for mosquito larvae in an attempt to limit mosquito-born disease.

More than 30 other wetlands will be treated this year.

Acting on the recommendation of the Department of Environmental Protection, the health department is using a biologic larvicide called Fourstar 180, which is made from a naturally-occurring bacteria found in soil. This product is effective against mosquito and blackfly larvae but safe for aquatic life, humans and other animals.

"Among the many management practices we have in place to control mosquito populations, our annual spring wetland and catch basin treatments are some of the most effective at preventing diseases like West Nile Virus," said Otis Pitts, the health department's food, housing and health policy deputy director.

The county effort also will include the treatment of 10,000 catch basins in the city Pittsburgh.

Standing water, like wetlands, catch basins and storm drains are the preferred breeding habitats for mosquitoes.

This year, catch basin treatments will take place starting the week of June 5.