Franklin County To Conduct Mosquito Spraying

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. (Sept. 17, 2021) – Residential and recreational areas in and around several Franklin County townships and communities will be sprayed for adult mosquitoes beginning around sunset on Sept. 21.

Areas include Welty Road, North Welty Road, Washington Township Boulevard, Mentzer Gap Road and Old Forge Road in Washington Township; Welty Road in Waynesboro Borough; and Mickey Inn Road in Greene Township. High populations of adult mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile Virus – as well as nuisance mosquitoes – 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. 22.

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, and 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.

To date, Franklin County has had 21 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),  Guilford Township (four), Washington Township (three), Waynesboro Borough (one) and Antrim Township (one).

Due to recent heavy rainfalls that have created mosquito larvae habitats, 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 should protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing or implementing some form of repellent, including wearing long sleeves and pants when outside. Additionally, 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.

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