County of York - EDS - Mosquito Control

COUNTY’S TRENCH WARFARE TO FIGHT THE BITE

In order to reduce the number of mosquitoes and the threat of mosquito borne diseases in our community, the county’s mosquito control follow proven integrated mosquito management practices by providing these services:

Off-road county drainage-way easement maintenance for source reduction

Larval management to reduce immature mosquitoes in their water environment

Ground and coordinated aerial spraying at nighttime for mature flying mosquitoes.

Courtesy inspections to locate the sources of mosquito breeding and plan control options with the citizens.

If you would like to report a mosquito problem, please use the online EDS CUSTOMER SERVICE system to immediately initiate your request or call 890-3790.

RECENT NACO AWARDS

1993 Mosquito Volunteer Program - Enables citizen involvement in the mosquito control effort of prevention so as to promote a higher level of service at no additional costs.

1994 Enhanced Mosquito Control - Embellished year around program with emphasis on prevention incorporating integrated pest management strategies in such areas as surveillance, breeding source elimination, & efficacious treatment.

2001 Mosquito Control Outreach - Keeping citizens well informed of & involved in mosquito control prevention efforts by various means using civic education, & public information.

2003 Establishing A Fishery For The Production Of Mosquito Fish (Best Category Award) - A fishery program being the only one in Virginia for mosquito larvae eating fish was established with the goal of decreasing reliance on the usage of chemical pesticides for mosquito management.

MOSQUITO SPRAYING CRITERIA

During mosquito season, many “spray me” requests are received by the citizens. However treatment is not an automatic and/or routine as it is based on the number of requests from a given area along with mosquito surveillance data verification. Once a decision is made to spray, it will be done after 7:00pm as weather permits when environmental conditions are conducive for treatment. It is important to note that spraying cannot be conducted during the day for the bothersome daytime “Tiger Mosquito” as the heat condition cause it to be totally ineffective. If you want to know when and where spraying is to be conducted on a weekday evening call the Mosquito Spraying Hotline at 890-3793. Also be aware that every precaution has been taken to ensure that the operation is both safe and secure. Lastly, if any resident desires not to be sprayed, please call 890-3790 leaving your name, address, and telephone number.

LET’S BE MOSQUITO SMART

It has been purported that there are over 40,000 mosquitoes for each individual in the United States. As we know York County has its’ share and despite the County’s best control efforts there are still many available to bother us especially in some vicinities. Therefore for your defense, and comfort, please remember the three Ls – wear clothes that are: Long – cover your skin/Loose – so that mosquitoes can’t bite through them to your skin/ Light – mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colors, so lighten up. Also adults can use an insect repellant with 20%-30% DEET, but children should only wear a product with 10% DEET. It is important to remember that there is no such thing as a mosquito free environment in the county. Those who live in nature will experience more of a mosquito-enriched situation.

WEST NILE: PREPARE / DON’T PANIC

With recent reports in the media about West Nile Virus – which is transmitted by mosquito bites – people are increasingly concerned with how to protect themselves and their families. There are ways to reduce the risk of mosquito bites that do not involve the use of insect repellents. Getting rid of mosquito egg-laying sites’ in one’s yard is the best way to control them by doing the following:

Eliminate cans, bottles, plastic containers and old tires from your yard.

Change the water in birdbaths and potted plant trays at least once a week.

Turn over wading pools, small boats, wheelbarrows, buckets, toys, and wagons.

Shake out the tarps that cover grills, firewood, boats, swimming pools and yard equipment at least once a week.

Keep garbage cans and recycling containers closed.

Drain or treat unused swimming pools.

It is important for all to fight the bite so as to prevent West Nile Virus you can help your family and neighbors to avoid discomfort and the public health threat

MOSQUITO EATING FISH NOW AVAILABLE

Do you have a water garden? If so call Mosquito Control at 890-3790 to have some Eastern Mosquito Fish, “Gambusia Holbrooki,” delivered to you for stocking. Please leave your name, address, and telephone number along with where your water garden is located. For further information visit the Mosquito Fish Hatchery web page

More Information About Mosquito Control:

Off-road Drainage:
If designated a County Easement on a subdivision or property plat they are maintained "twice a year" by the County to promote drainage so to as to prevent mosquitoes. For a drainage concern about an easement drainage way beside or behind one's residence call 890-3790 & provide your name, address, telephone number . The situation will be investigated within 5 working days and a return call will be made to the concerned citizen as to when the maintenance work is scheduled to be accomplished. It is important to be aware that when it is apparent that a resident has dumped debris (lawn clippings, leaves, tree limbs etc.) into a drainage way creating an impoundment, a notice will be will be sent to the concerned resident requesting that the debris be removed immediately per section 16-36 of the York County Code. If not removed as requested, then the County will have it removed at the resident's expense per the Code.

Roadside Drainage/Culverts:
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has maintenance responsibility for all roadside drainage ways and their associated culverts. VDOT is also responsible for some designated "right-of way" outfall VDOT easements as indicated on a subdivision or property plat. For a roadside culvert, or easement drainage concern call VDOT at 898-5151 for the lower County, & 253-5138 for the upper County.

Ground Mosquito Spraying:
The County provides ultra low volume spraying treatments ( 4 oz per acre) as needed to protect the health and welfare of the citizens from mosquito borne diseases. If mosquito populations continue to rise, and if validated by surveillance then ground spraying will be conducted when most effective during the evening or early morning hours. Spray treatments cannot be conducted during the day time as the heat causes the treatment to be ineffective. There is no set spray schedule rather it is based on a mosquito infestation requiring treatment. A mosquito spray hotline is available which announces which areas will be sprayed on a particular day weather permitting.

Aerial Mosquito Spraying:
When a serious mosquito infestation is imminent impacting Langley Air Force Base , arrangements will be made for an aerial spray flight. There are generally three flights available per year and only if the mosquito situation warrants such treatment mainly for the salt marsh mosquito breeding environment East of Route 17. The spray treatment is done at 1/2 oz per acre. It will only be conducted if weather conditions are optimum for an effective application. Notification of the public as to when & where it is to be conducted will be done by various local media. Bee keepers and those allergic to pesticides will also be properly notified when that information is made known by calling 890-3790 and providing one's name, address, and telephone number.

For more information, please contact the Division of Drainage and Mosquito Control at 757-890-3790.

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ONLINE SERVICES:

EDS CUSTOMER SERVICE

PERMIT INSPECTION REQUESTS

PLAN REVIEW STATUS

Mosquito Control Division

COUNTY’S TRENCH WARFARE TO FIGHT THE BITE

WEST NILE: PREPARE / DON’T PANIC