CHAMBERSBURG – Residential and recreational areas in Hamilton Township and Chambersburg Borough will be sprayed for adult mosquitoes beginning around sunset on Aug. 27.
Areas to be sprayed include but are not limited to: Heintzelman Avenue, Grandview Avenue, West King Street, Hood Street, West Queen Street and Franklin Street in Chambersburg Borough; and Warm Spring Road, Falcon Drive, Mallard Drive, Woodburne Estates, Leafmore Road, Dickeys Drive, Nittany Drive, Hamilton Drive, Boyer Mill Road, Frank Road, Sunset Drive, Paper Mill Road, Mark Drive, Johnson Road and Hamilton Hills Drive in Hamilton Township.
High levels of West Nile virus have been detected in populations of mosquitoes 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 spray operations. If these operations are canceled, they will be rescheduled for Aug. 28.
Franklin County’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 1.00 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.
Residents are asked to stay indoors while the truck-mounted spray is conducted in their neighborhoods. Franklin County staff have a policy of turning off the sprayer as a courtesy when residents are outside during a spray. The more often the spray is turned off, the less effective the operation will be at reducing mosquitoes and West Nile Virus in a given neighborhood.
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, readers may contact Franklin County Mosquito and Tick-Borne Disease Control Specialist Jason Goetz at 717-753-0776 or [email protected]. Additional information about Franklin County’s mosquito and tick-borne disease program is also available online at www.franklincountypa.gov/mosquito-tick-borne-disease-program.
