Latest news with #AltosidXR
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Allegheny County crews start treating stormwater catch basins to control mosquito population
Allegheny County's next step in controlling the mosquito population is treating stormwater catch basins in multiple communities that act as breeding grounds for the bugs. Treatment of basins in Pittsburgh, McKees Rocks, Millvale, Mt. Oliver and Wilkinsburg began on Monday and is expected to be completed by June 6. Work could be postponed if there's heavy rain. County officials say the approximately 14,000 basins being treated have had a history of West Nile in previous years. Community members can identify a treated basin by a bright green paint marking. During treatment, health department crews will deposit small blocks of Altosid XR, a product that targets mosquito larvae. It's non-toxic to people, pets, plants and aquatic life. It's the same product the health department used to treat wetlands earlier in the spring. The public can also help reduce the mosquito population by reducing breeding sites on their properties. 'Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a half inch of stagnant water, so be sure to pay close attention to potential breeding sites like water in tires, tarps, unused swimming pools, corrugated piping, buckets, and clogged gutters,' said Nick Baldauf of the Allegheny County Health Department. You notify officials of a breeding ground by filing a complaint online or by calling 412-350-4046. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
CBS News
20-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Allegheny County Health Department treating stormwater catch basins for mosquitoes
The Allegheny County Health Department has begun treating stormwater catch basins in Pittsburgh and the boroughs of Bellevue, McKees Rocks, Millvale, Mount Oliver, and Wilkinsburg for mosquitoes. "Catch basins are favorable breeding habitats for mosquitoes in urban environments," said ACHD Housing and Community Environment Vector Control Specialist Nick Baldauf. "The mosquitoes that breed in catch basins have the potential for spreading disease, such as West Nile Virus, to residents." The treatments will take place from May 19-23 and June 2-6 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., but may be postponed due to heavy rains. The health department will treat approximately 14,000 catch basins throughout these areas because of a history of West Nile activity in previous years. The product being used, Altosid XR, is non-toxic to people, pets, plants, and other aquatic life, per a press release from the health department. Small blocks of the product will be deposited in the catch basins, and treated basins will be marked with bright green paint. The larvicide will help limit the number of adult mosquitoes that potentially transmit diseases to people and pets. "Residents can greatly reduce the mosquito population by eliminating and treating potential breeding sites on their properties," said Baldauf. "Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a half inch of stagnant water, so be sure to pay close attention to potential breeding sites like water in tires, tarps, unused swimming pools, corrugated piping, buckets, and clogged gutters." To report potential mosquito breeding sites, contact the Health Department's Housing and Community Environment Program by calling 412-350-4046 or through its website.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Allegheny County soon starts annual effort to control mosquito population
Allegheny County leaders announced what steps they're taking to stay ahead of this year's mosquito population. The Allegheny County Health Department soon launches its annual program targeting mosquito larvae before they can take flight. This program starts this month by treating more than 50 wetlands across 50 municipalities with Altosid XR, a biological larvicide that disrupts the life cycle of mosquitoes and midges without harming humans, pets or aquatic life. Then, starting May 19, crews will also treat over 13,500 storm drains and catch basins in Pittsburgh and five nearby boroughs. Health officials say these shallow, stagnant basins are ideal mosquito breeding grounds, and treating them early reduces the need for adult mosquito spraying later in the year. Officials say early treatment is one of the most effective management practices they have to control mosquito populations. 'It's much easier and more environmentally responsible to control mosquitoes while they're still larvae,' said Tim Murphy of the Allegheny County Health Department. 'These early interventions reduce both nuisance bites and serious health threats.' The community can also help control the mosquito population by reporting potential breeding grounds. You can file a complaint online or by calling 412-350-4046. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
CBS News
14-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Allegheny County Health Department to begin killing mosquito larvae
The Allegheny County Health Department will begin trying to kill mosquitoes before they even take flight. Throughout April and continuing into May, the health department's Housing and Community Environment Program will treat more than 50 wetlands across 20 municipalities, targeting mosquito larvae. The health department says it'll use Altosid XR, a biological larvicide that disrupts the life cycle of mosquitoes and midges without harming humans, pets, fish or other aquatic life. The health department will also hit the urban mosquito habitats with a citywide catch basin treatment. Starting May 19, crews will treat over 13,500 storm drains and catch basins — which are ideal mosquito breeding grounds — in Pittsburgh, Bellevue, Millvale, McKees Rocks, Mount Oliver and Wilkinsburg. "Among our many management practices to control mosquito populations, our annual spring wetland and catch basin treatments are some of the most effective," said vector control specialist Nick Bladauf. "This allows us to stop mosquitoes from ever becoming the flying, biting pests people dread." Mosquitoes can carry diseases like West Nile virus, though most infected people don't feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop symptoms and about 1 out of 150 develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Residents who notice potential mosquito breeding grounds like standing water in yards, tire piles, neglected pools or clogged rain gutters are encouraged to file a complaint online or call 412-350-4046.
