June was a record-setting month for rain, drenching the area and creating a breeding environment for mosquitoes.
According to Erin Nooney, superintendent of the mosquito commission in Burlington County, the season for West Nile Virus started off “slower than normal” than previous years.
“It doesn’t mean it’s going to be a good or bad season. It’s hard to predict it. People need to be aware of it,” Nooney said.
The county has already begun spraying in an attempt to curb the adult population of mosquitoes. Specifically, the commission is trying to prevent people from catching mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus and Eastern equine encephalitis.
“The Mosquito Control Division of Burlington County has been hard at work monitoring and treating areas of mosquito activity, but it is important that each of us do our part to prevent the spread of disease,” Freeholder Director Joe Donnelly said in a county release.
According to the county, in 2012, there were a total of eight West Nile Virus positive birds found in the county. Additionally, three birds were confirmed positive for Eastern equine encephalitis.
“For the mosquitoes that do test positive for West Nile Virus and Eastern equine encephalitis, we’re doing constant testing, and when we find it, we spray and knock out the adult population,” Nooney said.
The county suggests taking precautions to help curb a population increase including the disposal of water-holding containers such as ceramic pots, used tires, tire swings; drilling holes in bottoms of recycling containers; cleaning clogged roof gutters; turning over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows; changing the water in bird baths on a weekly basis; cleaning and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used, including pool covers; and using landscaping to eliminate standing water on your property.
Additionally, the county suggests a number of safeguards for when residents decide to go outdoors.
According to the release, minimizing time spent outdoors around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active will help minimize bites and the likelihood of contracting West Nile Virus; being sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair; and wearing shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time.
When mosquitoes are most active, residents should wear light-colored clothing and tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin, in addition to using mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small babies when outdoors.
Residents should also consider the use of mosquito repellent, according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.
“Citronella helps a little but I don’t fully recommend it,” Nooney said. “Deet also is very effective. For those people who have a back porch, a fan works great, too. Mosquitoes aren’t the best fliers so a fan helps to keep them away.”
To help the county and report standing water or to report a dead bird, visit the “how do I” section of the Burlington County Health Department Homepage, www.co.burlington.nj.us/health, or call the Health Department at (609) 265–5548.
“We’re putting stuff out there when we can and residents can also contact us directly,” Nooney said.
