News & Information

"Fight the Bite! Don't be a Litterbug!"

(Newton, NJ) It's the 20th Annual "National Mosquito Awareness Week"! The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) declares the last week of June each year a time to raise awareness and educate the general public about the significance of mosquitoes in their daily lives and the important service provided by mosquito control workers. This year, the Sussex County Office of Mosquito Control and the Sussex County Clean Communities program are working together with the SCMUA Wallkill River Watershed Management Group and AmeriCorps NJ. This joint effort is to help the Wallkill River Watershed promote mosquito habitat awareness of litter by organizing roadside clean ups in Sussex County.

Clean ups organized by local ambassadors will be conducted within areas of Sparta, Vernon, Frankford, and Hardyston Townships beginning on June 25, 2017. This event is also working closely with municipal Departments of Public Works to help facilitate the removal of collected litter and recyclables. Prior to every clean up, the Sussex County Office of Mosquito Control will be offering an educational presentation about mosquito biology and control and how litter habitats contribute to the risk of disease within communities.

The Asian tiger mosquito (ATM) is a small black mosquito with distinct white stripe markings that lays its eggs in water-filled containers not in swamps, ditches, or marshes. They are persistent daytime biters and are typically found in containers around homes. Unlike other container breeding mosquitoes, Asian tiger mosquitoes will use very small sources of water, such as bottle caps or litter! ATM was first discovered in Sussex County in 2012 and has been a great concern for public health. Because this mosquito lives near humans and is a vector of many diseases, it poses as a great threat to the human population.

The Office of Mosquito Control and the Sussex County Clean Communities program encourage all Sussex County residents to help their communities by not littering and to reduce, reuse, and recycle! Please contact the Office of Mosquito Control, at 973-940-5225, to report piles of discarded tires or other accumulations of water-holding litter. By preventing and cleaning up litter, you are eliminating mosquito breeding habitats and reducing the risk of disease transmission in your town.

Other ways to prevent and control:

• DRAIN: Empty out water containers at least once a week.
• DRESS: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• DEFEND: Properly apply an EPA approved repellent.

Help your community! "Fight the Bite, Don't be a Litterbug!"