The Philadelphia Department of Environmental Protection has announced that it will conduct aerial spraying to control large populations of mosquito larvae in Philadelphia on Monday, June 4.
The treatments -- VectoLex CG, which is not a chemical pesticide, but is a species-specific bacterial agent that targets mosquito and black fly larvae when added to the water in production areas -- will only be applied in areas where sampling has shown increased levels of mosquitoes.
"The target areas are large mosquito habitats for the species that potentially carry the West Nile virus," DEP Southeast Regional Director Joseph A. Feola said. "We think we can do a better job of eliminating mosquito larvae through aerial spraying than through traditional ground applications."
Beginning around 8 a.m. Monday, Helicopter Applicators Inc., of Gettysburg, Adams County, will spray VectoLex CG over wetlands in and around the biosolid and wastewater treatment plants operated by Philadelphia near Penrose Ferry Road in the southwest portion of the city. They also will treat wetlands on the east side of the Philadelphia International Airport.
Later in the morning, the applicator will spray wetlands at the city's northeast wastewater treatment plant near the Betsy Ross Bridge.
Certain species of mosquitoes carry West Nile virus, which, when transmitted to people, can cause West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all residents in areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of getting West Nile encephalitis.
There have been no confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in Pennsylvania this year.
Individuals can take a number of measures around the home to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas, including: