CHAMBERSBURG– Residential and recreational areas in Hamilton Township, Franklin County, will be sprayed for adult mosquitoes beginning around sunset on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
Areas include but are not limited to Sollenberger Road, Edenville Road, Brechbill Road, Lawyer Road, Buckingham Drive and Nottingham Drive. High populations of adult mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile Virus as well as pools of mosquitoes that have tested positive for West Nile Virus have been detected in these areas. Roads are listed for residents’ reference; other roads and areas in close proximity may also be sprayed.
Weather conditions and other unexpected events could delay or cancel the spray operations. If these operations are canceled, they will be rescheduled for Thursday, Aug. 31.
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 PermaSease 4-4 applied at a rate of 1.25 oz per acre. This product is designed to provide quick knockdown and effective control of adult mosquitoes. The spray dissipates after 15 minutes and is conducted after sunset to avoid contact with non-target species such as bees.
To date, Franklin County has had 14 West Nile Virus-positive mosquito pools in 2023. These positive samples were collected in the following municipalities: Chambersburg Borough (three), Greene Township (three), Guilford Township (one), Hamilton Township (six), and Montgomery Township (one).
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, tarps or old tires. 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 [email protected].
