MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Cumberland County is conducting an Adult Mosquito Control Spray tonight in portions of the borough of Mechanicsburg and areas of Silver Spring and Monroe townships, the county's communications office said Monday.
The spraying, which will take place from dusk to 11 p.m., is in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Mosquito-Borne Disease Control program, the county said.
It is concentrated in areas with high populations of West Nile Virus (WNV) positive mosquito samples, according to the county.
To date, there have been 32 positive WNV samples identified for the summer season, the county said.
Residents can help prevent the diseases spread by mosquitoes by:
- Using mosquito repellants, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Taking extra precautions around dusk, the peak of female mosquito feeding.
- Securing window and door screens, so mosquitoes can’t make it into your home.
- Eliminating stagnant water around your property.
- Treating water sources that cannot be drained, mosquito dunks or bits that contain Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), which kills larvae. These products are safe for use around humans, and pets and can be found at hardware stores and other local retailers.
The county’s WNV program utilizes an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan which controls mosquitoes while limiting health risks and protecting the environment. Vector Control continues to collect, monitor, and treat water habitats.
For more information, visit cumberlandcountypa.gov/1103/Vector-Control.