Mosquito & Tick Control

Kensington, NH Mosquito Program Information 2020

Municipal Pest Management Services, Inc. and our sister company Swamp, Inc. have been providing mosquito control services to Kensington since 2007. Entomologist Michael Morrison founded and continues to run MPMS, overseeing programs and implementing his 40 years of experience in mosquito biology. The surveillance and disease monitoring program is managed by Director of Biology and Surveillance, Justin Adams. Operations Manager Steve Freeman handles all contracting, billing and scheduling.  MPMS works with 11 municipalities in New Hampshire and works closely with the NH Department of Health and Human Services and NH Division of Pesticide Control to stay current on best practices for public health mosquito control.

MPMS has been contracted with the Town of Kensington in 2020 for mosquito abatement and disease monitoring. The primary focus of this program is mitigating risk for West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). As such, our main focus is on controlling the mosquito species associated with spreading these diseases. MPMS follows Integrated Pest Management protocols, reducing pesticide use through constant monitoring throughout the season and treating sites only when mosquito breeding is actively occurring.

All aspects of mosquito control are governed by the Division of Pesticide Control. As a public health mosquito control program, MPMS is held to higher standards than companies providing home mosquito control applications. Each year we are required to file an application for a Mosquito/Black Fly Special Permit and receive approval before any mosquito control activities begin. The plans are reviewed and approved by a number of state agencies beyond Division of Pesticide Control including Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Fish and Game, State Entomologist, and Division of Public Health. As part of this process we must notify registered beekeepers and are made aware of sensitive areas potentially containing rare or endangered flora and fauna.  The permit has been approved and issued for 2020, Special Permit # SP-090. A copy of the permit has been sent to the town by DPC directly.

For any questions, requests for service, or to be added to the no-spray list please email at swampfixer@swamp-inc.com or visit our website http://www.swamp-inc.com/contact

Mosquito Site List

Mosquito Town Site Map

 

The Kensington, NH Mosquito Control Program includes the following services:

Surveillance of Mosquito Breeding Sites

Treatment of Larval Breeding Sites

Treatment of Catch Basins with larvae

Barrier Treatment of Town Parks, Schools, and Athletic Fields

Adult Mosquito Surveillance and testing for EEE and West Nile Virus

Coordination with town and state officials in the event of a disease positive mosquito pool or human cases

Larval Mosquito Surveillance

The key to a successful mosquito program is vigilant surveillance of larval habitats and adult mosquitoes. This ensures treatment to areas of concern to control mosquito breeding without applying unnecessary pesticides. With 15 years of experience controlling mosquitoes in Kensington, Municipal Pest Management Services has mapped and found most sites of mosquito breeding in town. These are regularly surveyed by dipping for mosquito larvae and applying larvicides only when needed. This program focuses primarily on mosquito species that are disease vectors for humans and pets. Many of these species have unique habitats and can be treated effectively to reduce risk. of disease spreading.

Larval Mosquito Control

When mosquito larvae are found and cannot be practically removed otherwise, technicians will apply larvicide to the breeding site. Most commonly this is a bacterial larvicide (BTI) that is fatal to mosquito larvae after ingestion. On occasion that there is a rapid need for control, such a pupal larvae about to emerge, a mineral oil sufficant is used. This oil forms a thin barrier on the surface preventing larvae and pupae from reaching the surface for air. This oil dissipates in the environment after 24-48 hours.

Adult Mosquito Surveillance

One of our most important tools for monitoring mosquito populations and disease is the collection and identification of flying adult mosquitoes. Several traps are set up throughout Kensington and collected weekly. These samples are identified to species and potential vector species are sent to the NH Public Health Lab to be tested for EEE and West Nile Virus. Monitoring adult mosquitoes can give us forewarning of potential risk to humans and important information on where to best control breeding mosquitoes.

Adult Mosquito Control

When disease is detected in Kensington or nearby towns adult mosquito control will be implemented at the town’s discretion. A mosquito repelling pesticide will be applied to the wooded perimeters of Schools, Parks, and Athletic Fields. This provides control for 3-4 weeks and will be applied at night when facilities are not in use.

Mosquito Breeding Locations and Personal Protection Tips

Did you know there are plenty of household mosquito breeding sites? Mosquitoes will lay eggs in many containers that hold water for a week. Be sure to dump out standing water to prevent mosquito breeding at home! Common sources of water include:

Bird Baths

Ornamental Ponds

Flower Pots and Planters

Clogged Gutters and Downspouts

Wheel Barrows and Watering Cans

Buckets and Tarps

Tires, Bottles, Cans and other Solid Waste

Garbage Cans and Recycle Bins

Kid’s Pools and Sandboxes

Boats, Kayaks, Canoes and Jetskis

Untreated Pools and Pool Covers

Be sure to check for pooling water near leaky faucets, AC Units, Pool Pumps, and Sump Pump Outflows!

 

Mosquito Protection Tips

You can protect yourself from mosquito bites and reduce your risk of mosquito borne disease with a few simple preventative measures.

Avoid outdoor activity at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

Always wear DEET or other FDA recommended bug repellants. Clothing and camping gear can also be treated for long term protections.

Use mosquito netting to cover strollers and carriers to prevent bites on infants.

Wear long sleeve clothing, especially when outdoors at dusk and dawn.

Repair window screens and avoid leaving doors open to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

Keep lawns mowed and perimeter brush cut short to reduce mosquito resting places.

 

MOSQUITO TRAP DESCRIPTIONS

CDC/CO2 Miniature Light Traps

These traps are commonly suspended from tree limbs that hang above the ground and are powered by a battery. Traps attract mosquitoes by a light bulb and CO2 that is emitted from the dry ice in a cooler. When the mosquitoes get close to the light they are pulled into the container by a small electric fan where they are captured and collected for analysis.

CDC Light Trap Image

BG Sentinel II Traps

These traps have been added to the surveillance program in the last few years as part of a grant to determine if the species that vector Zika Virus are present in New Hampshire. The species in question (Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti) have not yet been found in New Hampshire, but the traps are continued to be in use to collect additional specimens for testing and to continue searching for these vector species.

BG Sentinel II traps are placed on the ground near vegetation. They often have rain shields above them supported by small tent poles to prevent water damage. They use a UV light and human scent lure to attract mosquitoes. When mosquitoes approach the funnel on top of the trap, they are pulled in by an electric fan and collected in small mesh bags for identification. The trap is still but a soft electric whirring can be heard, they also have a strong scent from the lure (similar to a wet dog). At night, a soft purple glow may be observed.

BG-2 Trap Image

Gravid Traps and Resting Boxes

The bucket contains a mixture of fermented hay and water which has a powerful smell but attractive to mosquitoes. A fan and collection net are set on top of the tray of smelly water. The fan is powered by a small battery. When the mosquitoes are attracted to the water to lay eggs, they pass by the trap opening and are pulled into the collection net. The mosquitoes are removed in the laboratory for examination and analysis. These traps are unlikely to be in use during 2020, but remain a possible tool for surveillance in the event of high disease detection.

Gravid Trap Image