How We Control Mosquitoes
Integrated Mosquito Management
Integrated Mosquito Management is the scientifically based, best management practices that includes mosquito surveillance, public education, source reduction, biological control, and insecticide control. This method of mosquito control has been adopted by the MCMEC Commissioners and is endorsed by the NJ Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES), Rutgers University, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
Surveillance
All mosquito control actions start with surveillance. The Commission conducts surveillance for larval mosquitoes, adult mosquitoes, and mosquitoes that transmit diseases to humans. The Commission employs different types of mosquito traps to monitor the abundance of the adult mosquito populations and for the presence of disease in those mosquito populations. Mosquito larvae are monitored by visually inspecting stagnant water sources for larvae. Click to view Middlesex County's Weekly Mosquito Activity.
Public Education & Outreach
Public education is an essential part of any mosquito control program encourages the public to practice source reduction around their homes and protect themselves from mosquito-borne disease at home and when traveling. The Commission attends large public events as well as provides classroom lectures to schools and other groups.
Source Reduction
Water Management
In many instances, stormwater facilities such as ditches may get clogged and create a mosquito habitat. The Commission's Water Management Program may take actions to return the flow to the structure. Project completion may require a large investment of time and other resources. To maximize efforts, much of our work focuses on improving, cleaning, and restoring existing storm water structures to combat some of the prolific mosquito larval habitats in the County. In doing so, the Commission seeks to minimize the need for insecticide applications in these areas and provide long-term protection for residents from nuisance and disease-carrying mosquitoes.
By following recommendations in the "Best Management Practices for Mosquito Control and Freshwater Wetlands Management," all water management projects are done with a minimal amount of temporary disturbance to the surrounding environment. Re-vegetation of disturbed areas usually takes place within a few weeks of work being completed during the growing season. Water management projects are carried out under the authorization of various permits issued by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Many water management projects are carried out with the cooperation of other county departments and local municipalities.
Site Plan Reviews
The Commission reviews applications and plans submitted to the Middlesex County Planning Board Development Review Division for any potential mosquito issues. Occasionally, municipalities request Commission approval of proposed stormwater facilities not covered under the County Review Division. The Commission verifies proposed stormwater management systems follow County guidelines as well as the NJDEP's as stated in the NJDEP's Stormwater Best Management Practices manual for any potential issues relating to mosquito production. Upon review of site plans, the Commission forwards a report to the County Planning Board with recommendations for revisions if necessary.
Tire Recycling
Improperly stored or illegally disposed tires can collect water and become habitats for large populations of mosquito that can transmit potentially fatal diseases such as eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile virus, chikungunya, Zika and dengue fever. By removing illegally dumped tires, the Commission staff eliminate mosquito habitat. The Commission has collected and recycled over 100,000 tires from routinely inspected habitats since the beginning of the abatement program. Click here for information on how you can recycle your personal scrap tires.
Biological Control
The Commission also stocks mosquito-eating fish in unkempt swimming pools, small ponds and other standing water bodies that may breed mosquitoes. While not eliminating the habitat, biological control can be an inexpensive, efficient, and environmentally friendly means of controlling mosquito populations. Fish are stocked according to guidelines provided by the NJDEP State Mosquito Control Commission (SMCC) and the Office of Mosquito Control Coordination (OMCC). Request for fish stocking.
Insecticide Control
Larval Control
Over 14,000 (potential) larval habitat sites are inspected and serviced on a regular basis by the Mosquito Commission. The Commission's NJDEP-licensed Inspectors regularly check these sites for mosquitoes and treat them with insecticides when mosquitoes are found. Some of these sources are large floodplains and swamps capable of periodically producing a great number of mosquitoes. Due their size and lack of accessibility they are best treated by aircraft.
Adult Mosquito Control
The Commission monitors nuisance and disease-causing mosquitoes throughout the mosquito season using specialized traps. Should an infected mosquito be found or if mosquito populations exceed nuisance thresholds, insecticides (adulticides) are used to control them. Adulticides are applied using truck-mounted sprayers or aerially by helicopter. To find out if an application is planned for your area visit our Spray Schedule page. Insecticides used by the Commission can be found here.