Bergen County Mosquito Control Program is based on a system of
"Integrated Pest Management" consisting of surveillance source reduction, water management and biological and chemical control.

Mosquito Control in Bergen County is an ongoing, year round program.

In early spring, the surveillance and application program begins. Surveillance entails looking for larvae and applying materials to prevent hatching.

After the preseason is completed, a regularly scheduled inspection and control program begins in the eleven districts covering the 70 municipalities. Nearly 4000 specific breeding sites are routinely inspected and larvae is collected and identified. If mosquito larvae is found, Bacillus Thuringiensis (BTI) is applied. BTI is a selected larvicide which affects mosquito and black fly larvae and causes no harm to beneficial insects, marine life, birds,wildlife, animals, pets, vegetation or humans.

During the warmer months, mosquito breeding habitats are stocked with Gambusia, a small fish with a hearty appetite for mosquito larvae. During this time a variety of traps are installed Countywide to monitor the adult mosquito population. Adulticiding to control the adult population is only done when necessary, from a truck or hand held unit, not by helicopter, in response to adult mosquito surveillance and identification.

During the winter months, hand labor and heavy equipment is used to clear and desilt ditches, streams and ponds to allow for free movement of water. Tide-gates and dikes are inspected and repaired to prevent flooding of low-lying areas and water in ditches and brooks are lowered to minimize mosquito breeding.

For additional information on efforts underway in Bergen County, please call the hotline at (201) 225-7000 or visit www.bergenhealth.org and click on "West Nile Virus".