RSS 2.0 FeedSeptember 15, 2011, Merrick Life
Mosquito invasion strikes the Merricks
Still no plans to spray for bugs.
More than 13 inches of rain in August brought a host of problems to Merrick including flooding, felled trees from saturated grounds and now swarms of hungry mosquitoes. The average rainfall for August is 3.6 inches.
“They’re all over the place,” said Joe Baker who lives in South Merrick. “I’ve never seen it this bad. You can’t sit in your backyard or go outside without getting bit. I’ll swat [a mosquito from] my arm and I get all this blood. They are having a feast and I’m left wondering about the West Nile Virus.”
One Nassau County man from the Town of Hempstead has contracted West Nile, said the Nassau County Department of Health. It was a mild case and the man has fully recovered.
People may contract West Nile virus after being bitten by a mosquito that is infected with the virus, which comes from a bird. Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Severe symptoms may include stiff neck sleepiness, disorientation, coma, termors, convulsions and paralysis. The most severe form of West Nile is encephalitis, meaning inflammation of the brain.
“There are large quantities of standing water which creates a perfect breeding ground for the mosquito population,” explained Mary Ellen Laurain, spokesperson for the Nassau County Department of Health. To date, 22 mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile virus in Nassau County.
Last week the county issued a statement saying it planned to spray the evenings of September 12 – September 14 in order to eliminate viral activity and decrease the mosquito population. But a federal no fly zone over Long Island on those dates cancelled the spraying plans. There are no plans at this time to resume spraying.
Why not resume spraying?
“The temperature is beginning to drop at night [when spraying takes place] which makes the spraying ineffective,” said Ms. Laurain.
Gone are the days when trucks ambled down the streets, spraying DDT to control mosquitoes.
Health and environmental concerns limit spraying to nighttime hours. DDT is no longer used. Ms. Laurain said the county uses “Scourge, an insecticide which is photo sensitive,” she said.
However, the Nassau County Public Works department will continue their control efforts by inspecting breeding sites and when necessary, applying larvicide. The Nassau County Department of Health will continue mosquito surveillance at 42 trap sites located throughout the County.
In the meantime, individuals can also help control this pest problem by removing or emptying standing water from children’s outdoor toys, flower pots, garbage cans, pails or any object that can hold water. Make sure roof gutters drain properly. Keep swimming pools chlorinated and their covers free of stagnant water. Change the water in birdbaths every two or three days. Install window and door screens and keep them in good repair. Consider wearing long sleeves, pants, socks and mosquito repellent if outdoors when mosquitoes are active. Decorative ponds and water features should be circulated or chlorinated if they do not contain fish to prevent mosquito breeding.
