Journal staff
Efforts are underway to help control mosquito larvae and reduce the incidence of West Nile virus, the health unit said this week.
Lambton Public Health has contracted Pestalto Environmental Health Services Inc. to begin catch basin larviciding; technicians wearing safety vests will apply larvicide by hand to roadside catch basins while on a motorized scooter with a “Slow-Moving Vehicle” sign, along with an MOECP 2023 Applicator sticker.
Passenger vehicles may also be used and will be equipped with the same signage, along with a flashing beacon and Pestalto insignia.
Larviciding is one measure used to impede mosquito breeding and control adult mosquito
populations.
Lambton Public Health also encourages residents to:
• Remove stagnant water around your property
• Keep eaves clear of debris
• Drain water from containers or toys
• Use insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin when outside during peak hours (dawn
and dusk) or in locations where mosquitos are most active
West Nile virus Surveillance
Mosquito trap surveillance and testing will begin in early July. Positive findings will be reported and health system monitoring of human cases is ongoing.
Lambton Public Health would like to remind the public that there is no collection of dead birds for West Nile virus surveillance.
If residents find a dead bird on their property, they are asked to dispose of it properly using
gloves or a bag to pick up the dead bird, followed by discarding the bag and the bird into a
garbage container to be disposed of with their regular garbage.
For more information about WNV, or dead bird disposal, call the West Nile virus Information
Line at 519-383-3824, toll-free 1-800-667-1839 ext. 3824 or visit LambtonPublicHealth.ca