Mosquito control in Lackawanna County

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The West Nile virus is a growing concern in NEPA and several mosquitos in Lackawanna County have tested positive for the virus.

Traps like this are set through Lackawanna County to trap and test the mosquitos in the area for the West Nile virus. The traps are set weekly and all the samples are sent to a lab for testing.

“We use a couple of different traps. We set up 15 weekly and we collect those after 24 hours the traps use a bait solution that replicates standing water,” said Rocco Genovese, West Nile virus coordinator, Lackawanna County.

How is the virus contracted?

“It’s a vector-based program which means you know the birds carry west now we can’t contract it from the birds, but the mosquitoes feed on the birds. They also feed on us and that’s how we get west now,” explained Genovese.

Genovese says this has been a busy season for them.

“They’ve been busy this season. I think we’re probably way over a dozen sprays so far every season is different. This one’s this one’s challenging,” added Genovese.

So far more than 10 mosquitos tested positive for West Nile

“We’ve had 16 positives so far this season which is elevated it’s not the highest we’ve ever had but it’s it’s high and at this point, it is pretty prevalent throughout the county so we’re just trying to control it, and keep it as safe as we can,” continued Genovese.

What do you do to protect yourself from mosquitos?

“You know use some mosquito spray you’re gonna be outside. You have some cool nights now so if you can wear long sleeves, that’s great maybe have a fire in the backyard that might help a little bit. If you have a stand fan they can’t fly faster than about 3 miles an hour and keep them off you as well,” stated Genovese.

As for what you can do around your home.

“Just try to control standing water on your property you know tires bird bats change out of the water weekly pools this time of year I know maybe people are done swimming but keep them chlorinated or close them up,” said Genovese.

Genovese says it only takes a small amount of standing water for hundreds of mosquitoes to have a breeding ground.

The mosquitos are more fertile in warmer weather so with fall around the corner the population is expected to go down.

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