News Flash

June 21, 2017 - Public Works’ Environmental Services Division is asking residents to please police their yards for standing water to help reduce the mosquito population.

The most prolific nuisance mosquito in the region, the Asian tiger mosquito, has been detected early this year, and warm temperatures and above average rainfall have caused the mosquito population to grow rapidly.

According to Environmental Services: "The Asian tiger mosquito is considered peridomestic, meaning they have evolved to be very adept at perpetuating continuous populations by feeding on and around people and their domiciles. This species is also diurnal/crepuscular (active during daylight and dawn/dusk) and they bite typically during daytime hours, which inhibits efficacy of the City’s night time insecticidal spray operations."

Because the Asian tiger mosquito tends to rest at night, that’s the best time to eliminate the places where they breed.

"The best way to combat this nuisance mosquito species is to inspect your property weekly and dump all standing rainwater, eliminating potential breeding habitats," Environmental Services said. "Specific areas to check around the home are birdbaths, old tires, flower pot saucers, non-aerated ponds, roof gutters, landscape drainage pipe (corrugated pipe), tarps, buckets, toys, pet dishes, air condition condensate and any object capable of holding rain water for more than one week. Even bottle caps can provide enough water for the Asian Tiger mosquito to go from juvenile to an adult."

If you can’t dump a container or drain an area in your yard, you’re encouraged to use bacterial larvicides  that are available at most hardware stores. These dunks or pellets are environmentally safe and specific in eliminating mosquito and fly larvae in aquatic habitats. Bacterial larvicides are labeled safe for animal drinking water and are non-toxic to all birds and animals.

Residents with special needs are asked to call 311 (757-727-8311 from your cell phone or from outside the city) for help. Mosquito control technicians are also willing to help with private yard inspections.

Finally, residents are encouraged to check their yards weekly and to pass the word to their neighbors and friends.