Allegheny County Health Department to take action in slowing mosquito breeding

For the 22nd consecutive year, the Allegheny County Health Department will conduct treatments throughout the Pittsburgh area in efforts to slow the breeding of mosquitoes.

Starting Monday , the Health Department will be treating approximately 10,000 stormwater catch basins throughout certain areas of Pittsburgh that have a history of West Nile virus activity with pesticides. During the summer months, catch basins that hold water are breeding grounds for mosquitoes that could carry the virus.

“Catch basins are popular breeding sites for mosquitoes in urban environments,” said ACHD Housing and Community Environment Program Manager Tim Murphy in a statement. “Mosquitoes that breed in catch basins have the potential for spreading diseases, such as West Nile virus, to residents.”

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FourStar, the product that will be used for these treatments, consists of an ingredient that kills the mosquito larvae and is non-toxic to people, pets and aquatic life.

Pesticides similar to the ones the Health Department use are available at hardware stores and home improvement centers for residents to purchase in order to take steps in lowering the potential risk of mosquitoes biting and infecting people and pets.

“Residents can greatly reduce the mosquito population by eliminating and treating potential breeding sites on their properties,” said Murphy. “Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a half inch of stagnant water, so be sure to pay close attention to potential breeding sites like stagnant water in tires, unused swimming pools, buckets and clogged gutters.”

These treatments will take place between 4:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., ending Friday.

To report potential mosquito breeding sites, contact the Health Department’s Housing and Community Environment Program by calling 412-350-4046.