Parts of Township to be Sprayed for Mosquitos Tuesday

Parts of Doylestown Township will be sprayed Tuesday to eradicate mosquitos infected with West Nile Virus. 

The following Doylestown Township streets will be sprayed: Pebble Valley, Water Crest, Pine View, Valley Green, Deer Patch, Scarlet Oak, Pebble Woods, Glen, Wood View, Sandy Wood, Hillcrest, Shady Springs, Houk, Phesant, S. Woods, Poplar, Lenape, Hillside, Sherwood, Pebble View, N. Woods, Woodcrest and Robyn.

The spray has been planned because mosquitos infected with the virus have been found in the township.

According to information provided by the state’s West Nile Control Program, the treatments will be administered via truck-mounted equipment, spraying residential and recreational mosquito habitat. The equipment dispenses Duet Dual-Action Adulticide at a rate of 0.75 ounces per acre.

The product is designed to provide quick, effective control of adult mosquito populations. The application material has a very low toxicity profile to mammals and will have negligible impact to non-target insects and the environment, according to the state's West Nile Control Program.

The West Nile virus can cause humans to contract West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain. 

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, all residents in areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of contracting West Nile encephalitis.

Residents should take the following precautionary measures around their homes to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas, including:

• Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar containers that hold water.

• Properly dispose of discarded tires that can collect water. Stagnant water is where most mosquitoes breed.

• Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.

• Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year as the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug drains.

• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.

• Turn over wheelbarrows and don't let water stagnate in birdbaths.

• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.

• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use and remove any water that may collect on pool covers. If a resident has stagnant pools of water on their property, they can buy BTI products at lawn and garden, outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. This naturally occurring bacterium kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants. 

Weather conditions could delay the spraying. If conditions do not allow application on Tuesday, it will be done on Wednesday instead.

For more information about West Nile virus and the state's surveillance and control program, visit www.westnile.state.pa.us