DEP to spray pesticides for mosquitos in Huntingdon County

HUNTINGDON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) – Residents around Huntingdon County will experience pesticide spraying as officials from the Department of Environmental Protection try to avoid the spread of mosquitos.

Residential and recreational areas in Mt. Union Borough will be sprayed for adult mosquitoes beginning around 7:45 p.m. Sept. 4, with the work expected to be complete by 10 p.m.

Areas to be sprayed include but are not limited to: North Jefferson Street, South Division Street, North Division Street, Park Street, South Washington Street, South Penn Street, West Poplar Street, North Washington Street, West Chestnut Street, Wrangletown Road and Gallagher Street.

Recently, several West Nile Virus-positive pools of mosquitoes were detected in these areas, prompting a spray to reduce the amount of mosquitoes and the amount of West Nile Virus found in the area.

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 Sept. 5.

“It is quite obvious that West Nile virus can cause severe consequences for some folks, especially the youth and the elderly. I don’t want to alarm anybody, but in some cases, it can be deadly,” Commissioner Jeff Thomas said.

Huntingdon 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.

There are no adverse effects on non-target species. The products used are approved and applied through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, which is issued by the EPA. The EPA continuously tests and monitors active ingredients in such products to ensure the integrity of the environment remains intact.

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The active ingredient in the spray contains a variation of a pyrethroid, which is a very common active ingredient in sprays used for household pests, topicals on dogs for fleas and ticks, as well as head lice shampoo.

Pyrethroids have been used since the 1970s and have been reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Sprays are conducted in the evening after sunset to not only reduce contact with humans but also reduce contact with pollinators, such as bees, that are not active after dusk. The spray is a fine mist meant to come into contact with flying mosquitoes, dissipates after about 15 minutes, and therefore has no residual.

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