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Brick Authorizes Mosquito Spraying
Aerial Spraying To Help Combat West Nile Virus
By Keith Hagarty
It's that time of the year again when the whiney buzz in the air sends shivers of panic through you skin, knowing there's a thirsty, blood-sucking flying pest just waiting to take a bite.
But have no fear. In an effort to control the widespread mosquito population and curb the spread of the West Nile Virus and other potential diseases caused by the insects, the Ocean County Mosquito Control Commission will soon be conducting larvae aerial control activities. The move was recently authorized by the Township Council.
The county is expected to use low flying aircraft to apply insecticides, or Malathion larvacide, approved for use by state and federal authorities.
Brick officials are relieved to know the township will be included in this year's anti-mosquito county initiative.
"We need to do our part to prevent the proliferation of mosquito larvae," said Councilman Dan Toth. "I just went over to my grandmother's house the other day, and in the backyard, there was a regular trash can, and empty except for the fact that there was some rain water in it, and as I dumped it out I saw literally thousands upon thousands of mosquito larvae squealing away."
"If you see anything, whether it's a standing bird bath or something like that, dump it out and put fresh water in it," he said. "Mosquito larvae thrive in stagnant water, whereas anything that's moving, they don't really like. They can't tolerate it."
Just taking a few minutes to be aware of your yard's potential larvae trap spots can make a big difference, said Toth.
Residents living in or nearby the affected spraying zones will be notified by letter of the dates and estimated times the spraying is scheduled to occur, said Mayor Stephen Acropolis.
"Everybody is going to be notified individually," he said.
For those residents who currently have standing water on their property and an increased of mosquito larvae risk, Acropolis said to contact the Ocean County Mosquito Commission, which will put your name on a list and eventually send someone out to spray your land.
A target zoned area for the spraying is also expected to soon be posted on the township's officialWeb site, www.twp.brick.nj.us.
Toth took a lighthearted moment when describing the constant aggravation for residents so often caused by the little winged critters.
"They're annoying. They're a nuisance," said the councilman. "Even worse than me."
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