The Bucks County Mosquito Control Program is conducting an ultra-low volume mosquito control operation on Wednesday, Aug. 11, in portions of Bristol, Falls, Middletown and Northampton townships to reduce high populations of mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile virus.
The areas to be sprayed in Bristol Township are Headley Court and Headley Avenue, as well as the Magnolia Hill, Birch Valley and Elderberry sections, which extend into Falls Township. Also scheduled in Falls is an area bounded by North Oxford Valley Road, Hood Boulevard, South Olds Boulevard, and Hanford, Stanwood and Trenton Roads.
The areas to be treated in Middletown is bounded by Quincy Drive, Cobalt Cross and Ridge Roads, and by Red Rose Drive, Forsythia Drive South, Fallen Rock Road, Forsythia Drive North, Snowball Drive, Frosty Hollow Road, Upper Orchard Drive, Juniper Drive and Jollybrook Road. Big Meadow Park in Northampton will also be treated.
The treatments will be administered via truck-mounted equipment, spraying mosquito habitats in residential and park locations. Trucks used in the spray are identified with Bucks County seal logos on the doors. The equipment dispenses Biomist 3+15 at a rate of 0.75 ounces per acre. This 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. The spray will begin at dusk.
Certain mosquito species carry the West Nile virus, which 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.
Weather conditions and other unexpected events could delay or cancel this spray operation. If conditions do not allow application on Aug. 11, the backup spray date will be Thursday evening, Aug. 12.
For more information about adult mosquitoes and West Nile virus, visit westnile.state.pa.us. The Bucks County Health Department can be reached at 215-345-3318.
