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News Advisory RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM TO DISTRIBUTE LARVICIDE TO COMMUNITIES ON THURSDAY, JULY 21 FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL Cities and towns and other government entities place larvicide in catch basins several times during the mosquito season to try to limit the population of mosquitoes that can carry West Nile Virus. Catch basins are considered prime breeding areas of mosquitoes in both urban and suburban settings, and the use of larvicide is the best way for communities to reduce mosquito numbers and risk. DEM will distribute 3,500 pounds of Altosid, on July 21, enough for three monthly applications in more than 140,000 catch basins. Some communities will also be applying Bit "biscuits" and granules to standing water bodies and small areas that are hard to treat. Both Altosid and Bti are specific to mosquito larvae and have excellent environmental track records. "Although municipalities and other government agencies do a great deal to reduce mosquito numbers, all Rhode Islanders can do their part by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds around their properties," said Alan Gettman, PhD, DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator. "Residents should get rid of anything in their yards that holds standing water, such as old tires, buckets, junk, and debris, and make sure that gutters are clean so that they drain properly. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Just one cup of standing water can produce thousands of mosquitoes." Test Results Continue to Be Negative DEM also announces that test results from 96 mosquito pools from 26 traps set statewide during the week of July 5 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. However, West Nile Virus is well-established throughout the state and, indeed, throughout the country. Therefore, throughout the mosquito season, residents are encouraged to protect themselves by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and avoiding mosquito bites. Personal protection is the first line of defense against mosquitoes that can carry diseases such as West Nile Virus and EEE and is by far the most effective way of avoiding infection. Avoid mosquito bites by using screens on windows and doors, covering up at dawn and dusk, and putting mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages when they are outside. Also, use mosquito repellent, but with no more than 30 percent DEET. Do not use repellent on infants. This year, to date, no mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis and no birds have tested positive for West Nile Virus. Residents are encouraged to call DEM's dead bird surveillance hotline - 788-3698 - to report crows or bluejays that appear to have recently died and that show no signs of external injury. Although only a few samples of birds that meet these criteria will be retrieved for testing, DEM will map the locations of all birds reported in order to identify areas where additional mosquito trapping and testing might be needed, as dead crows and bluejays can serve as an early indicator of West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes are trapped every week statewide by DEM staff and tested at the RI Department of Health (HEALTH) laboratory. Test results from last week's trapping will be reported by DEM on or by Wednesday of next week. For online information about mosquito-borne diseases, go to DEM's website, www.state.dem.ri.gov, and click on "Public Health" under "Topics", or go to the HEALTH website, www.health.ri.gov, and click on "W" under "Health Topics". -30- *For photo opportunities of actual application of the larvicide, please contact local town officials.Directions to Pawtuxet Supply Depot at 230 Warwick Avenue in Cranston: From the north, follow Route 10 South to the end and take a left at the light onto Park Avenue. Continue to the intersection of Park and Warwick Avenues, and turn right onto Warwick Avenue. Just before the bridge spanning the Pawtuxet River, take a left onto Dartmoor Street. The facility can be seen from Warwick Avenue. From the south, take Route 95 to Exit 14A and follow Route 37 to the end, which will be Post Road heading north. Continue on Post Road, and take a left at the intersection of Post Road and Warwick Avenue. Just past Shaw's and over the bridge spanning the Pawtuxet River, take your first right onto Dartmoor Street. The facility can be seen from Warwick Avenue. |
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