The Berks County Conservation District will conduct mosquito surveillance and West Nile Virus monitoring throughout the County again this year. These services will be provided monthly, between May 1st and October 31st. Trapping will occur using the traps you see below.
- All traps make a slight buzzing noise due to a small fan motor.
- The gravid trap (top) is filled with water that has a strong, foul odor.
- The light trap (bottom left) is filled with dry ice and emits a slight visible fog.
- The BG Sentinel trap (bottom right) also has a container of dry ice and produces fog.
In the event a high population is encountered in any given location, larval mosquito control will be conducted on the spot with bacterial-based larvicides. Adult mosquito control will be conducted as needed, based on the level of virus in the area and/or populations of mosquitos capable of transmitting disease. All adult mosquito control operations will be announced at least 48 hours prior to the spraying event. Dead birds will continue to be tested for West Nile. In the event you encounter a large mosquito population and or experience a dead bird in your area, you may report the same to Evan Corondi, WNV/Vector Control Coordinator at the Conservation District (610) 372-4657, ext. 212. You may also report dead birds through the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection’s West Nile Virus webpage: http://www.westnile.state.pa.us/
