Healthy Life

Aerial spraying over the Toad Harbor / Big Bay Swamp area, which includes portions of the village of Central Square and towns of Hastings, West Monroe and Constantia, was completed tonight, Aug. 15.

Oswego County contracted with Duflo Spray-Chemical Inc. from Lowville to conduct aerial spraying of the area to reduce the population of mosquitoes that carry the Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV). 

A copy of the pesticide label and safety data sheet (SDS) including warnings and fact sheets about permethrin aerial spraying can be found on the Oswego County website at https://health.oswegocounty.com/programs/environmental1/mosquitoes.php, or obtained by calling the Oswego County Health Department at 315-349-3564 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. After 4 p.m., call 315-341-0086.

Oswego County Public Health Director Vera Dunsmoor said that aerial spraying is only a temporary measure in mosquito population control. “It is still very important for people throughout the county to continue their efforts to prevent exposure to mosquitoes,” she said.

People are also advised to limit outdoor activities around dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active; to wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, pants, socks, and shoes when weather permits; and to consider using insect repellent. Those that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus are effective. Repellents which contain permethrin are meant for clothing and gear and should not be applied directly to the skin. Read the product label and follow package instructions.

The health department recommends the following measures to reduce mosquito breeding sites around the home and property:

• Repair or replace window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
• Cover rain barrels or other water collection devices with a screen.
• Empty or dispose of pails, cans, flower pots and similar water-holding containers.
• Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors.
• Clear roof gutters and be sure they drain properly.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use.
• Clean and chlorinate outdoor pools, saunas and hot tubs and drain pool covers.
• Change the water in birdbaths and horse troughs twice a week.
• Remove leaf debris from yards and gardens and clean vegetation and debris from the edge of ponds and use landscaping to eliminate standing water on your property.
• Use mosquito larvicide “dunk” kits to reduce mosquito populations in certain Homeowners can pick up a free kit at the Oswego County Health Department, the Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District or at local municipal offices. The treatments must be used according to the label’s instructions. For information call 315-592-9663.
• Dispose of old tires. Used tires are a significant mosquito breeding site and are accepted at Oswego County transfer stations for a charge. Call the Oswego County Solid Waste Department at 315-591-9200 for details.

For more information about protecting your family against mosquitoes, call the Oswego County Health Department at 315-349-3547. You can also visit the County Health Department’s website at https://health.oswegocounty.com/programs/environmental1/mosquitoes.php or the New York State Department of Health’s website at http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2731/.