Jun 30, 2009 6:43 am US/Eastern
Bucks Co. Sprays To Control West Nile Virus Threat
NESHAMINY, Pa. (CBS 3) ―
The recent run of rainy weather has led to a bumper crop of mosquitoes, and authorities are concerned and looking to take action to control the spread of the West Nile Virus.
On Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection sprayed pesticides to help control the mosquito population in Neshaminy, Bucks County.
"What our surveillance has shown is that mosquitoes in the Neshaminy State Park area, and actually throughout much of Croydon, are the types of mosquitoes that are likely to carry the West Nile Virus," Dennis Harney of the Pa. DEP said.
In fact, that region already has mosquitoes that tested positive for the West Nile Virus. DEP officials are concerned about an increase in the mosquito population because of all of the wet weather recently.
"The increased rain that we've had has created a lot of breeding areas for mosquitoes that wouldn't otherwise exist if the weather had been drier," Harney explained. "Mosquitoes are very opportunistic and they will capitalize on any breeding areas that exist."
Pa. DEP officials are asking residents to get rid of standing water, including water trapped in gutters.
"You need to watch out for kiddie pools, bird baths and even recycling bins outside if they don't have drain holes in the bottom," Harney said.
If you have spent some time out doors this season, you might be thinking the mosquito season is not too bad, but experts say that's because most mosquitoes are fragile and they don't like the rain.
But as soon as the weather dries up, it will only take the mosquitoes about four days to reproduce, and that's when officials say the problem will arise.
STATE MOSQUITO INFORMATION:
Pennsylvania
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