Frequently Asked Questions

Cumberland County Mosquito Control is a division of the Department of Public Works and Property of Cumberland County and is involved in all aspects of mosquito control. We have two fulltime inspectors who inspect known mosquito habitats for the presence of mosquitoes and apply pesticides to those areas as necessary. In addition, they respond to service requests by inspecting and treating any mosquito habitats found at residents’ homes or businesses. Our Superintendent is a graduate-level entomologist, and we have a Biologist who assists in inspections and control, is responsible for mosquito surveillance through the use of various types of mosquito traps, and for mosquito identification. In addition, the Biologist handles public education, and will conduct educational programs for schools, civic groups, and other organizations upon request. Our agency also participates in a vector surveillance program coordinated by Rutgers University and the Office of Mosquito Control Coordination, a division of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. This program involves sampling mosquitoes from various areas throughout the County and sending them to the New Jersey Department of Health to have them tested for various encephalitis viruses, including West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. If any sampled mosquitoes test positive, we will intensify our inspection and control efforts in those areas in an attempt to minimize possible risk to County residents, their pets, and their livestock.

Cumberland County Mosquito Control Division uses an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to control mosquitoes. This approach utilizes several methods of pest control, including mechanical, biological, and chemical. We also employ heavy equipment operators who use various types of large machinery to engage in water management practices, or source reduction, to remove or modify mosquito habitats. Source reduction is the largest component of our mosquito control program, and in many cases, can permanently affect mosquito population levels. Biological control can also be quite effective in eliminating mosquitoes. In this aspect of our program, we identify isolated, permanent bodies of water and introduce minnows and other types of fish to feed on mosquito larvae. Our chemical control program consists of the application of larvicides and pupicides to kill the immature stages, and adulticides to kill the flying adults. Typically, the non-chemical methods are preferred since they are the most effective; however, pesticide applications are necessary if the other methods are ineffective or not feasible.

For our program to be successful, it is very important for us to get as much help from the general public as possible. It can be a futile endeavor employing various mosquito control methods if our residents are allowing mosquitoes to use their own properties as habitats! Here are some tips to prevent mosquitoes from breeding on your property:

• keep rain gutters free of debris
• clean birdbaths at least once a week
• keep yard and surrounding areas free of artificial containers, which can collect rainwater
• eliminate standing water from crawl spaces and basements

Examples of artificial containers include:

• unused wading pools
• opened trash cans
• tires
• pool covers
• wheel ruts
• large, deep mud puddles
• buckets
• wheelbarrows
• ornamental ponds without proper aeration or fish
• empty planting pots

Anything holding water for at least four days can become a mosquito habitat. In addition, if you find a mosquito habitat, or you think you might have an area conducive to the placement of fish, do not hesitate to call our office.

In Cumberland County we use larvicides, a larvicide/pupicide, and adulticides to control mosquitoes. The larvicides we use include:

• Abate 2-BG – active ingredient is temephos
• Altosid – active ingredient is methoprene
• FourStar – active ingredient is Bacillus sphaericus and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis
• Natular G30 – active ingredient is spinosad
• Spheratax SPH 50G – active ingredient is Bacillus sphaericus
• Teknar CG/Vectobac 12AS – active ingredient is Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis

The larvicide/pupicide we use is:

• CoCo Bear- active ingredient is mineral oil

The adulticides we use include:

• Essentria All Purpose Insecticide Concentrate – active ingredients are rosemary and peppermint oils
• Zenivex E20 – active ingredient is etofenprox

Abate 2-BG is used in granular form and is applied directly to water with a seed spreader, or may be applied by aircraft. Altosid is used as a 30-day or 150-day briquet and is placed directly in water. FourStar is used as a 180-day briquet and is placed directly in water. Natular G30 is used in granular form and is applied directly to water with a seed spreader. Spheratax SPH 50G and Teknar CG are used in granular form and are applied directly to water with a seed spreader. Vectobac 12AS is applied as a liquid directly to water with a hand-held compressed air sprayer, or may be applied by aircraft. CoCo Bear is applied as a liquid directly to water with a hand-held compressed air sprayer. Essentria All Purpose Insecticide Concentrate is applied to foliage in a coarse mist created by a truck-mounted mist blower. Zenivex E20 is applied directly into the air to contact mosquitoes while on the wing as an Ultra-Low-Volume (ULV) spray by ground equipment. All products used are registered with both the USEPA and NJDEP, which means they are legal for use in New Jersey. All products used are registered with both the USEPA and NJDEP, which means that they are legal for use in New Jersey. In addition, our division supervisor, all of our inspectors, and our entomologist are licensed applicators by the NJDEP. For further information about the pesticides and their use, please refer to the NJDEP-approved Fact Sheets.

If you would like us to inspect your property, if you want to report a mosquito habitat, or you would like help with anything else mosquito- related, please call 856-453-2192 Monday – Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If you would like to speak directly to the Superintendent, call 856-453-2170 Monday – Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If you would like to speak directly to the Biologist, Assistant Chief Inspector, or Supervising Heavy Equipment Operator, call 856-453-2197 Monday – Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. For general information: For overall pesticide-specific information – 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. National Pesticide Information Center 800-858-7378 For pesticide health information and possible exposures – 24 hours NJ Poison Information & Education System 800-222-1222 For New Jersey pesticide regulation and misuse complaints NJDEP Pesticide Control Program 609-984-6507 For Federal pesticide regulation USEPA Region 2 Office of Pesticide Programs 732-321-6759 For mosquito control insecticide recommendations Rutgers University, Department of Entomology 732-932-9459 For state-wide mosquito control information NJDEP Office of Mosquito Control Coordination 609-292-3649

Call the Cumberland County Mosquito Control Division at 856-453-2192 or check the website for the spray schedule, which is updated daily, at www.co.cumberland.nj.us Attached is an example of a newspaper notice the Division places in two local newspapers throughout the mosquito control season. The two newspapers we use are the South Jersey Times and the Daily Journal. A citizen has the right to ask the Cumberland County Mosquito Control Division for specific information about a planned application prior to the pesticide treatment.