 THE
BUZZ |
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Volume 4, 1 (Week 16) |
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April 21, 2005 |
Mosquito Activity (Scale from 0 to 5)
- Mosquito activity is a 1 for the entire city. Very few adult
mosquitoes are around; most activity is juvenile mosquitoes in standing
water.
Surveillance
- Eight CDC style light traps were set this week, a total of 52
mosquitoes were caught. The average number of mosquitoes per trap was
only 6.5; this is lower than normal and could increase over the next few
weeks.
- Back ditches, temporary woodland pools are the primary breeding
habitats right now. Tires are also starting to breed mosquitoes.
Service Requests
- The call are low, about 1-2 per week, most are reports of standing
water.
Control
- Staff is systematically inspecting and treating potential mosquito
breeding sites thought the city. Treating of sites includes: source
reduction efforts (taking steps to remove the water) and larviciding
(treating the water with pesticides to prevent mosquito from
successfully breeding).
- There are no adult mosquito spraying operations scheduled at this
time.
Mosquito Control Facts
- Source Reduction efforts are used when possible to reduce or
eliminate the amount of standing water available for mosquito breeding.
Citizens must also do their part by dumping out any standing water in
their yards each week.
Federal Activity
- Source reduction efforts are on going operation at Craney Island.
Staff biologist identified an area located near the Portsmouth landfill
light trap.
- The source reduction efforts on Craney Island are expected to
significantly impact the number of mosquitoes caught at the landfill
location.
- For more information about federal mosquito activities
http://www.nao.usace.army.mil/mosquitoes
Special Note:
The Navy and Army Corps of Engineers will make a short presentation
outlining the mosquito control program enhancements made this winter.
Interested residents of Churchland should attend the meeting next
Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 7:00 PM at the Portsmouth Police NEAT Office,
3925 Twin Pines Road.
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