Mayor Grady has passed along information that the Montgomery County Department of Public Health will be spraying an aerial mosquito treatment across Lower Merion and Narberth this Tuesday, August 26th and Wednesday, August 27th from 8:30pm to Midnight. Thursday night is marked as a rain date in case of bad weather.
If you've spent time in your yard this summer, you've noticed that the mosquito count is way up. Aside from being an itchy nuisance, public health officials need to control mosquito populations to reduce the spread of West Nile Virus (PDF link). West Nile Virus is especially dangerous to those aged 50 and older. While less than 1% of people infected will display symptoms, those who do display symptoms have a 10% chance of death. WNV is a serious disease which needs to be kept in check.
On August 18th, the Health Department reported that 34 of 472 mosquito traps tested in the county were positive for WNV. Some of these traps were in Lower Merion Township. Also, there has been one confirmed case of WNV in a Lower Merion resident.
The insecticide used is the brand-name product Scourge. Though the dosage to humans and pets is extremely low and believed to be safe, citizens are advised to take the following measures.
Steps you should take:
- Children and pregnant women should take care to avoid exposure when practical. If possible, remain inside or avoid the area whenever spraying takes place and for about thirty minutes after spraying. That time period will greatly reduce the likelihood of your breathing pesticide in air.
- Close windows and doors and turn off window air-conditioning units or close their vents to circulate indoor air before spraying begins. Windows and air-conditioner vents can be reopened about 30 minutes after spraying.
- If you come in direct contact with Scourge spray, protect your eyes. If you get Scourge spray in your eyes, immediately rinse them with water. Wash exposed skin. Wash clothes that come in direct contact with spray separately from other laundry.
- Consult your health care provider if you think you are experiencing health effects from spraying.
Steps you may want to take:
- If spraying just occurred, minimize your contact with surfaces and wash skin that has come in contact with surfaces.
- Pick homegrown fruits and vegetables you expect to eat soon before spraying takes place. Rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables (in fact, all produce) thoroughly with water before cooking or eating.
- Cover outdoor tables and play equipment before spraying or wash them off with detergent and water after they have been sprayed.
- Bring laundry and small toys inside before spraying begins (wash with detergent and water if exposed to Scourge during spraying).
- Bring pet food and water dishes inside, and cover ornamental fishponds to avoid direct exposure. (emphasis added by Narblog Editor, "Scourge, like many insecticides, are particularly toxic to aquatic life.")
There are also steps that citizens can take (PDF Link). Check your property for stagnant pools of water in toys, old tires, yard furniture, pools, flower pots, etc. Make sure your gutters are clear and draining properly. If you see standing water, dump it out and leave the container upside down to prevent further accumulation.
If we can keep the mosquito population down through simple on-the-ground measures, we can avoid the need for further spraying.
Note From the Editor: Aside from being your Narblog Editor, I am also a chemistry buff and insect lover. While I agree with the need for mosquito control, it is unfortunate that this spraying will also have some adverse effect our garden insect populations, particularly bees. Night spraying reduces this risk as bees are inactive and in their nests. Destruction of aquatic life is also quite unfortunate. Many of our small streams are already severely stressed and the runoff of Scourge into our waterways will have some negative effect. The product decays with a highly variable half-life (depending on conditions) of between 30 minutes (when exposed to sunlight) to 200 days (when it migrates into the soil or sediment).
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