Campaign meant to thwart mosquitoes Bayshore Courier News Posted:07/29/10
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Aberdeen - This August, Monmouth County residents are asked to join the fight to eliminate common mosquito breeding habitats by removing old car tires from their yards as part of Tire Amnesty Month and bringing the tires to the Aberdeen Public Works Yard, 147 Lenox Rd., from Aug. 2 through Aug. 31, Monday through Saturday 7:30 am to 2:30 p.m.
During the tire amnesty month, residents may drop off up to eight rimless car tires that are no larger than 20 inches in diameter. This service is free during August at the Aberdeen location.
Municipalities do not pick up tires as part of residential trash removal, and tire replacement businesses charge a fee to dispose of used automobile tires. This tire removal event is a convenient opportunity for residents to remove tire debris from their yards at no cost. Additionally, most towns have ordinances in place that prohibit the storage of tires and other debris on private property that can create a threat to public health.
Residents who know of an abandoned tire dump or a location of piles of old tires should contact the county Mosquito Extermination Commission at 732-542-3630.
"Tires accumulate enough water to serve as mosquito habitat," said Freeholder Robert D. Clifton, liaison to the county's Mosquito Extermination Commission. "A single tire could produce an average of 405,200 mosquitoes over the summer season. Residents need to be vigilant in protecting themselves and reducing the places where mosquitoes can increase their populations."
The county emphasizes that homeowners also should ensure that window and door screens are in good repair, and that their property is free of water-holding containers such as cans, buckets, tires, flower pots and wheelbarrows that create areas where mosquitoes can breed.
The County Mosquito Extermination Commission and the County Planning Board are coordinating the county's tire amnesty program with the assistance of the Aberdeen Township.
"The best way to prevent a mosquito bite is to eliminate backyard larval mosquito habitats," said Douglas Guthrie Sr., superintendent of the county's mosquito control program. "The summer weather in Monmouth County is prime time for mosquitoes that thrive in water and humidity," said Guthrie who also stresses the importance of personal protection against mosquito bites.
"It is important that citizens follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recommendations for personal protection," Guthrie cautioned. The CDC recommends that people can reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes and, as a result, lower their exposure to insect-borne diseases by following some simple steps: When outdoors, apply insect repellent following the label instructions, especially for use on children. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever possible. Avoid outdoor activity at peak mosquito times - dusk and dawn.
The CDC also recommends the use of repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or picaridin (KBR 3023). Products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane-3,8-diol) provide better protection than other plant-based repellents, but fall short compared to products containing high concentrations of DEET.
"You should choose a repellent that provides protection for the amount of time you will be outdoors," Guthrie said. "Repellents with a higher percentage of an active ingredient, like DEET, typically provide longer-lasting protection."
For the latest information on mosquito control and mosquito-borne disease activity in Monmouth County, residents can log onto the county's Website.
Up-to-date mosquito control information also can be heard on the Mosquito Extermination Commission's hot line at 732-578-1600.
