Mosquitoes

The Mosquito Control Section from the Maryland Department of Agricultureprovides a direct service to the City of Frederick. The primary goal of this program is to prevent the occurrence of mosquito-borne disease in humans, pets and livestock. The program relies on surveys and monitoring of the larval and adult mosquito populations to coordinate control activities. The Department schedules the treatments according to surveys that they conduct and according to weather conditions.

For more information in the Frederick area contact the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Office of Plant Industries and Pest Management, Mosquito Control, 301-927-8357

Mosquito Habitat Prevention

Residents are urged to monitor any standing water in their yards and gardens. Standing water serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Residents are also encouraged to take the following steps to help minimize the mosquito population:

· Cover rain barrels with netting.
· Clean rain gutters to allow water to flow freely.
· Remove old tires or drill holes in the tires used as playground equipment.
· Turn over wheelbarrows, wagons and carts when not in use.
· Turn garbage can lids upside down and make sure trash receptacles don't contain water.
· Fix dripping faucets.
· Remove water and cover ornamental pools and water gardens that are not stocked with fish using a circulating filter system.
· Avoid unnecessary outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
· Wear light clothing, long pants, long-sleeved shirts and hat when outdoors.
· Use mosquito repellants according to instructions.

Please consult these web sites for further information on Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/ - The Centers for Disease Control’s West Nile Virus homepage – source of information on WNV as well as mosquito control (multi-lingual).

www.edcp.org/html/west_nile.html - Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, West Nile Virus Information Page