COMMANDMENTS OF MOSQUITO CONTROL
ELIMINATE ALL STANDING WATER
FLATTEN ALL TYPES OF OPEN CANS AND CONTAINERS OR PUNCTURE HOLES
COMPLETELY SEAL CESSPOOLS & SCREEN ALL VENTS
CLEAN CLOGGED ROOF GUTTERS & DRAIN FLAT ROOFS SO NO WATER
COVER ALL STANDING RECEPTACLES, SUCH AS RAIN BARRELS IN RURAL
AREAS WITH NETTING
EMPTY & REFILL OUTDOOR BIRD BATHS EVERY FEW DAYS
STOCK WITH FISH OR AERATE GARDEN POOLS AND PONDS
TILT WHEELBARROWS AND MACHINES WITH CONTAINERS TO PREVENT HOLDING
EMPTY WATERING CANS AND WADING POOLS AFTER USING
OF OLD TIRES, OR ANYTHING THAT HOLDS WATER
website has been designed by the Government of Essex County to assist
in educating our citizens about mosquitoes and the problems they
cause and the capabilities possessed by this County in combating
these problems. Through a variety of tools available including those
discussed below, we do our utmost to reduce the mosquito population
and the discomfort they bring about. On this website we discuss
the history and life cycle of the mosquito, the County's approach
to the problem, our operating philosophy, the make-up of the Division
responsible for mosquito control and the "Ten Commandments
of Mosquito Control".
trust you will find this web site informative, helpful and one that
will make life a little easier. Feel free to call us or e-mail us
at those numbers shown if you need more information or have suggestions
to make. You may also mail us at the address shown, we welcome your
mosquitoes are a nuisance, but nothing more. Very few people die.
However, mosquitoes can act as vectors for an array of diseases
including West Nile Encephalitis. Rainfall can act as a primary
factor in the increase of mosquito populations with many species.
Certain species lay their eggs in catch basins and along the edges
of receding pools of still water. Flooding in these places will
cause the eggs to hatch. With the right climate and environment,
numbers of mosquitoes can reach an incredibly high level. The life
cycle of a mosquito involves four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and
adult. The best time to eliminate this problem is during the larval
stage with either biological methods, such as Gambusia affinis (commonly
know as mosquito fish), chemicals, or a mix of both.
Nile Encephalitis is a mosquito borne viral disease that induces
an inflammation of the brain. Mosquitoes become infected after feeding
on infected birds. After a period of 10-14 days, the mosquitoes
then transmit the virus to other animals or humans when taking a
blood meal. Mosquitoes bite humans for blood and subsequently transmit
the West Nile Virus. Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache,
body ache, skin rashes as well as swollen lymph glands. In rare
cases, a more severe infection may result in a high fever, stiff
neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle
weakness, paralysis and even death. People with weakened immune
systems are more susceptible to the virus, which can be seen by
the number of deaths being associated mainly with the elderly. There
is no vaccine available to prevent the disease as of yet. An ELISA
antibody test is used to test samples of blood and spinal fluid
for West Nile Virus. Handling diseased birds, dead or alive, cannot
transmit the virus but caution should be maintained when dealing
Culex pipiens, otherwise known as the household mosquito,
is the primary cause of the emergence and distribution of the West
Nile Encephalitis in the United Stares. There are several species
of Aedes mosquitoes that act as bridge vectors in the United States.
The virus is common in Africa, part of Europe, and West Asia. West
Nile Virus was first detected in the state of New York in the fall
of 1999. A pesticide spraying effort of massive proportions was
intensely carried out in New York. The states of Connecticut and
New Jersey were actively involved in similar preventive measures
already undertaken by New York.
Services, successor to the Essex County Mosquito Commission founded
in 1912 and now a Division of the Essex County Department of Public
Works, has responsibility for the Mosquito Control Program in the
County. This Division utilizes an Integrated Pest Management
Program, which provides for a balanced approach to controlling
this pest thereby reducing the annoyance and threat of disease carried
by this insect.
on this website, is provided information on operating procedures,
including up-to-date information on divisional activities. This
Administration, because they appreciate the seriousness of the mosquito
problem, provide for the program accordingly.
Division, as previously stated, is a successor to the Essex County
Mosquito Commission, and a pioneer in mosquito control founded in
1912. It has the goal of reducing the number of nuisance and disease
transmitting mosquitoes within the County. Essex County has always
strived to maintain an Integrated Pest Management Program, which
incorporates that which is shown below. Battling mosquitoes is a
year-round occupation. Larval Surveillance starts in February and
Adult Surveillance begins in early May. Traps are set and monitored
daily from that time through November. Equipment must be maintained
on a 12-month basis, training goes on during that period and elements
of Water Management continue during what would be considered the
Source Reduction - Total elimination or reduction of breeding
habitats through management practices, including removal of waste
tires, gutter cleaning and Water Management.
Larval - Monitor development to determine species and most effective
treatment applications. Adult - Set-up surveillance monitors indicating
adult populations. - Collect and identify trapped species.
Larval - Biological - Distribute fish in permanent and semi
permanent bodies of water where breeding might occur. - Aerial Spraying-
Helicopter spraying over Passaic River Flood Plain. - Manual Treatment-
Hand treatment where vehicles cannot go. - Amphibious Vehicles-
Treat flood Plain not accessible to helicopter. -Basin Treatment-
Treat over 30 thousand street basins with right hand drive vehicles.
- Water Management- Develop and maintain methods easing water flow
in swamp areas. - Individual Requests- Response to requests from
citizens for service.
- Backpack Spray - Hand treatment where vehicles cannot go. - Truck
Mounted Spray- Treat large areas within residential areas during
evening hours. -Aerial Spray- Only under extreme population conditions
within meadows- very rarely done.
County utilizes pesticides to control nuisance and vector carrying
mosquitoes. The pesticides that are used have warning labels and
directions to minimize risks to human health and the environment.
These pesticides are applied by N.J. Certified Pesticide Applicators
who are specially trained to follow proper safety precautions and
directions for use. For a complete list of pesticides used and EPA
classifications, please call the Division of Environmental Services/Mosquito
Employees added as need arises.
the Division is separated into the cost centers, or sections as
shown, there is an extremely high degree of cooperation between
these groups and other divisions within the Department of Public
Works. Environmental Services utilizes the Directors Office for
payroll and personnel functions, engineering to assist in obtaining
various permits (permits are required for all Water Management work),
Fleet to maintain their vehicles and Buildings and Grounds to take
care of their site.
on the staff are two (2) Degreed Biologists, and several employees,
including all in senior positions who have 30 years or more experience.
All of the Inspectors, and Equipment Operators are required to have
spraying licenses and all Inspectors and Biologists continue to
take advantage of courses given by Rutgers University and others
on mosquito control. Senior members attend seminars throughout the
state on the subject. Shortly that will be expanded so that important
meetings outside the state will also be attended.
an important component of Public/Information and Education, the
Division prepares literature for distribution to County Residents,
provides posters, answers questions and perhaps more importantly,
is prepared to speak to groups to fully discuss their program. During
these speaking engagements, which are done at no cost to the inviting
groups, slides are presented, all aspects of the Mosquito Program
are discussed and a questions and answer period is provided to ensure
that a complete picture is given.