MILFORD, CT – The Milford Health Department kicked off the annual Mosquito Control Progam with All Habitat monitoring Milford’s wetlands habits and treating the city’s marshy areas.
“Milford has a fantastic program. It’s very comprehensive,” John Shepard said, assistant scientist at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven. “It treats mosquito problems typically in the larva stage, which is the best time to treat mosquitos.”
The program’s primary focus is preventative efforts through mosquito breeding site reduction, especially in densely populated areas, and education about personal protection.
“It’s a great program where there is a partnership between the city of Milford and the general public,” Deepa Joseph Said, Director of Health at the Milford Health Department.” We are looking to reduce the adult mosquito population and see breading site reduction, all to minimize the interactions between humans and mosquitos. Ultimately reducing mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Zeeka Virus.”
Joseph said the public could also help reduce the adult mosquito population and breeding sites.
“We encourage all our residents to drain any standing water they might have around their properties, defending against mosquitos using an EPA-registered mosquito repellant and dressing appropriately with light-colored and loose clothing to protect yourself as much as possible,” she said.
Mayor Richard Smith said the Mosquito Control Program with All Habitat makes Milford more livable in the evenings.
“It makes summer months more enjoyable and livable and the city more enjoyable,” he said.
“We have a great relationship with the city, and it’s been going on for 20 years now,” David Roach said, owner of All Habitat Services, LLC. “The city has a comprehensive program and a strong interest in protecting its residents’ public health and comfort.”
Roach said they have 90 sites checked weekly from April through September, and sometimes it goes into October.
“We inspect the sites and where we find breading, and we treat those sites with a biological larvicide,” he said. “We treat the storm drains through the summer because that is a species of mosquito that bridges the vectors from birds to people, and it’s an important culprit in the transmission of viruses.”
Shepard said the mosquito trapping program on May 30 at 108 locations around the state, monitoring for viruses such as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
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“Whenever we find a mosquito infected with West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, we report it to the state health department, which we partner with closely,” he said. “We’ll also let members of our state mosquito management know, and local health departments will be notified. The local health departments are responsible for issuing public notices to their community constituents.”
Shepard said results of the mosquito trappings are posted on their website weekly, and anytime there is a positive case, they report the results as soon as possible.
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