DIAS CREEK – A June 30 announcement by the state Department of Environmental Protection that increased funding was being made to county mosquito commissions got a quick response from the county’s Department of Mosquito Control.
The announcement was part of the state’s commemoration of National Mosquito Control Awareness Week.
Dr. Peter Bosak, the superintendent of the county Department of Mosquito Control, told the Herald although the DEP announcement was made on “very short notice…we are applying for some of the money available.”
The funding includes $500,000 in grants for mosquito control expenditures, more than 20,000 mosquito traps and dunks.
Dunks are larvicide that kills mosquito larvae only; deemed organic by the USEPA, dunks are harmless to beneficial insects, pets, birds, fish or wildlife. They kill within hours and last for up to 30 days. A dunk covers 100 square feet of surface area.
They are used in Koi ponds, hydroponic systems, animal water troughs, bird baths, and rain barrels. They can be placed wherever there is standing water or standing water will accumulate.
The DEP is also prepared to distribute over 500,000 mosquito larvae-eating fish – to combat the threat of Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases, according to Martin.
Bosak stated that only after the state receives applications from counties will it be known how much will be available locally.
He added the department seemed to be “fast-tracking this” so it may become available sooner instead of later.
“The money is intended for use this year,” Bosak stated.
While the traps are reportedly on back order for possibly six weeks, they could still be of use to Cape May County’s battle against the insect.
“We could still use them as mosquito-transmitted viruses are most prevalent in the county in the latter part of the summer and into the fall,” stated Bosak. The county has already secured its share of those “dunks” which will be distributed to the public at various events that department personnel attend, such as the 4-H Fair July 21-23.
“We do not expect any Zika virus transmission in the county given we don’t have the primary vector, the yellow fever mosquito, but we’ll… continue our regular comprehensive surveillance program,” Bosak stated.
“While the presence of the mosquito that carries the Zika virus is extremely rare in New Jersey, we are taking every precaution to protect our residents and visitors from this and other disease-carrying mosquitos,” Martin stated. “The Christie Administration is committed to providing our county mosquito control partners with the best possible means to monitor and reduce mosquito populations throughout the state.”
DEP’s Office of Mosquito Control Coordination and the State Mosquito Control Commission work closely with all 21 county mosquito commissions and agencies to reduce mosquito breeding habitats. To date this year, DEP has:
- Offered $500,000 in grants to county mosquito control units for reimbursements incurred for mosquito control, monitoring and identification efforts, as well as supplies and additional staffing.
- Purchased and provided to all counties 21,000 mosquito dunks – ecologically safe tablets placed in standing water to destroy mosquito larvae before they hatch into adult mosquitoes.
- Purchased 42 motor-powered mosquito traps – two per county – which are used to capture hundreds of mosquitos for future identification and testing of viruses.
- Raised and stocked more than 150,000 fish that eat mosquito larvae – with another 400,000 fish to be raised and stocked statewide over the course of the summer.
- Purchased four distribution tanks to assist in the transport ofmosquito-eating fish throughout the state.
- Purchased five holding tanks that temporarily hold mosquito-eating fish to assist in counties in their distribution of the fish.
Aedes aegypti is the mosquito most known for carrying the Zika virus. It is found in tropical climates and is unable to survive New Jersey’s winter conditions.
“As mosquito season continues in New Jersey and families travel this summer, residents should protect themselves from mosquito bites wherever they go,” Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett stated. “It is important to apply EPA-registered insect repellent, use a screen and air conditioning, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay informed.”
New Jersey’s 21 county mosquito control agencies employ a variety of methods for mosquito control, including aerial spraying, application of approved insecticides, water management programs, public awareness campaigns and use of natural predators, such as fish that eat mosquitos and their larvae.
The use of larvae-eating fish, also known as biocontrol, is common in New Jersey. Since its inception in 1991, the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Hayford Fish Hatchery has stocked more than 4.4 million mosquitofish in New Jersey.
Counties stock the fish in places of the greatest attraction to the 63 varieties of mosquitoes which are native to the state. This summer, in response to concerns about Zika and mosquito-transmitted viruses, the hatchery is raising and distributing more than 500,000 fish; more than double a normal season.
“Our fish program has been a key component of mosquito control for years, and their usefulness is only increasing as the threats increase,” stated Division of Fish & Wildlife Director Dave Chanda. “These fish help control the mosquito population by eating their young and preventing them from growing, biting and most importantly, reproducing.”
“We are ramping up mosquitofish production as an extra measure of safety for this year to address not only the possible threat of Zika but to combat the real and annual threats posed by other virus-carrying mosquitos in our state,” stated Hackettstown Hatchery Superintendent Craig Lemon.
DEP encourages residents, business owners and contractors to follow these steps to help reduce mosquito populations on their properties:
- At least once or twice a week, empty water from flower pots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, and cans.
- Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out. Downspout elbows can also hold small amounts of water that can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitos.
- Remove discarded tires, and other items that could collect water.
- Be sure to check for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home.
For more information on Zika and how DEP is addressing the potential threat, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/mosquito/docs/zika-fact-sheet.pdf or www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/faq/zika_faq.pdf.
