City of Lancaster, PA

07/23/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/23/2024 15:10

Lancaster and Lebanon Mosquito-Borne Disease Program to Conduct Mosquito Spraying in Lancaster Area on July 24

Lancaster and Lebanon Mosquito-Borne Disease Program to Conduct Mosquito Spraying in Lancaster Area on July 24

July 23, 2024

The Lancaster and Lebanon Mosquito-Borne Disease Program will be spraying for adult mosquitoes beginning around sunset on July 24 in parts of Lancaster City, Lancaster Township, and West Lampeter Township. High populations of adult mosquitoes that vector West Nile Virus to humans have been detected in these areas.

The Lancaster and Lebanon Mosquito-Borne Disease Program estimates the spray to begin around 8:30 p.m. and conclude by 11 p.m. but this could change. Only residents that live within the vicinity of the following streets should remain inside during the application:

Residential and recreational areas in and around St. Mary's Cemetery, Riverview Cemetery, Wabank Street, Wabank Road, New Dowart Street, Seymore Street, S. Broad Street, Chesapeake Street, Almanac Avenue, S. Franklin Street, S. Marshall Street, N. Reservoir Street, N. Plum Street, New Holland Avenue, E. Walnut Street, E. Frederick Street, E. James Street, N. Duke Street, E. Lemon Street, 2nd Street, Coral Street, Franklin Street, Park Avenue, Ranck Avenue, Orange Street, Cottage Avenue, Jamaica Road, Riverside Avenue, Ranck Mill Road, N. Conestoga Drive, Manor Shopping Center, Manor Street, Millersville Pike, Charles Road, Lafayette Street, Hershey Avenue, High Street, Saint Joseph Street, 2nd Lock Road, Dante Boulevard, Mallory Street, Kentshire Drive, Pennshire Drive, Elmshire Drive, Sterling Place, Dickens Drive, Millport Road, Duncan Street, Lightfoot Drive, Kings Arms Lane, S. Jefferson Court, and E. Jefferson Court

Please keep in mind that the roads listed are for reference and other roads and areas in close proximity may be sprayed as well. Residents should remain inside while the spray is being conducted, though outside activities may resume 30 minutes after the spray.

Weather conditions and other unexpected events could delay or cancel the spray operation. If these operations are cancelled, they will be rescheduled for July 29.

The Lancaster and Lebanon County Mosquito and Tick-Borne Disease Control Specialist and a Department of Environmental Protection biologist will be on site for the application. The Lancaster and Lebanon Mosquito-Borne Disease Program will be conducting this truck-mounted ultra-low volume (ULV) mosquito control operation using the Lebanon County truck under business license BU 13818, and the product used will be Aquaduet applied at a rate of 1.0 fluid oz/acre. This product is designed to provide quick knockdown and effective control of adult mosquitoes. The control event is performed by way of an Ultra-Low Volume Truck Mounted Spray. Our sprayer puts out the product in microscopic droplets (approximately a shot glass of product is applied over the distance of a football field). Because the droplets are so small, they degrade quickly and are only "potent" for roughly 20 minutes before they begin to degrade. Therefore, it is unable to adhere to vegetation/surfaces or leech into groundwater. This protects non-target species such as pollinators and aquatic life. Additionally, we specifically deploy this product after dusk when the target mosquito species is most active and pollinators are not. We understand the role pollinators play, and we want to ensure that we do them no harm while also protecting public health from potential mosquito-borne diseases.

Lancaster 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, unmaintained pools, or tarps. Something as small as a soda bottle cap filled with water can breed mosquitoes.

For more information, contact the Lebanon and Lancaster County Mosquito and Tick-Borne Disease Control Specialist Lydia Mohn at 717-277-5275 x112 or [email protected]. Learn more about the Lancaster and Lebanon Mosquito-Borne Disease Program at www.lccd.org/mosquito-borne-disease-program.