Helicopter Will Do Mosquito Spraying In Essex County – Caldwells, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The latest round of aerial warfare with the mosquitos of Essex County is slated to take place on Tuesday.

The West Caldwell Police Department issued the following advisory on Monday:

“On May 21, the Essex County Mosquito Commission will be conducting the annual mosquito spraying by helicopter. A helicopter may be seen in the area between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.”

More information on Essex County’s Integrated Pest Management approach towards mosquito control can be seen here.

“While most mosquito control is done by our inspectors on a small-scale basis, there are times during the season that larger areas are flooded and cannot be treated by hand,” the county website states. “During these events, the division will join forces with the Morris County Mosquito Extermination Commission, and using services provided by the New Jersey State Mosquito Control Commission, we are able to survey or treat large areas by air using a helicopter.”

Every treatment is overseen by a mosquito inspector flying along with the pilot and inspectors on the ground responsible for ensuring proper a proper application of larvicides to the area, county officials state.

According to the county DPW website, all pesticide applications the division utilizes comply with guidelines recommended for mosquito control in New Jersey by the Agricultural Experiment Station of Rutgers University and regulations set forth by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.

Local residents should also take some precautions of their own as they head into outdoor season, officials say.

“As a mosquito control agency, there is only so much we can do to prevent mosquitoes and the diseases they can transmit from affecting local residents,” the county DPW states. “As county residents, you can help reduce mosquitoes around the home by taking basic steps to reduce habitats. Additionally, you can take precautions to help prevent your exposure to mosquito bites and any diseases they may transmit.”

See some household mosquito control tips courtesy of the county here.

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