Residential and recreational areas in and around several Franklin County townships and communities are next in line for spraying to kill adult mosquitoes. The spraying operation starts around sunset the evenings next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 13-15.
Areas include Hafer Road, Luther Drive, Smoketown Road and Scotland Road in Greene Township; Edenville Road, Johnson Road, Lawyers Road and Nottingham Drive in Hamilton Township; and Norland Avenue, 5th Avenue, North Penn Hall Drive, U.S. Route 30, U.S. Route 11, Cleveland Avenue and East McKinley Street in Chambersburg. High populations of adult mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile Virus have been detected in these areas.
Weather conditions and other unexpected events could delay or cancel the spray operation. If this operation is cancelled, it will be rescheduled for Sept. 16.
READ: Franklin County: Mosquitos targeted for spraying
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Mosquito-Borne Disease Program will be conducting this truck-mounted ultra-low volume (ULV) mosquito control operation. Franklin County’s Mosquito and Tick Borne Disease Control specialist will be on site for the application. Franklin County’s business license is BU 13939. The product used will be Deltagard applied at a rate of 0.75 oz/ac. This product is designed to provide quick knockdown and effective control of adult mosquitoes. Â
Positive West Nile mosquito pools
To date, Franklin County has had 14 West Nile Virus-positive mosquito pools in 2021. These positive samples were collected in the following townships and boroughs: Chambersburg Borough (six); Hamilton Township (three); Greene Township (three) and Guilford Township (two).
READ: West Nile Virus: mosquito samples test positive
Recent heavy rainfalls have created mosquito larvae habitats; so mosquito populations have a high likelihood of flourishing in the next few weeks. When this anticipated increase in mosquito population is mixed with evidence of West Nile Virus, the rate of positive West Nile Virus mosquitoes will most likely climb, continuing into the fall until the first frost.
Now more than ever, Franklin County residents need to protect themselves from mosquito bites. That is best done by wearing or implementing some form of repellent, including wearing long sleeves and pants when outside. Residents and homeowners should be vigilant of standing water, including artificial containers holding water such as buckets, clogged gutters or tarps. Something as small as a soda bottle cap filled with water can breed mosquitoes.
For more information, contact Franklin County Mosquito and Tick Borne Disease Control Specialist Jason Goetz at 717-261-3855 or jgoetz@franklincountypa.gov.
