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September 20, 2011
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Milton. To date, over 250 mosquito samples have tested positive for WNV in Massachusetts this year. This includes mosquitoes found in the surrounding communities of Boston, Dedham, Norwood, Quincy, Randolph, Westwood, and Weymouth.
WNV is transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.
By taking a few common-sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:
Avoid Mosquito Bites
· Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing.
· Clothing Can Help~reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
· Apply Insect Repellent~when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.~
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
· Drain Standing Water~- Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.~
· Install or Repair Screens~- Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
Information about WNV and reports of WNV activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at www.mass.gov/dph/wnv. Please also visit the “Mosquito Control” section of the Health Department’s web page at www.townofmilton.org. While you are there you can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on public health news in Milton.
September 17, 2011
September 15, 2011
The Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project has suspended ULV Applications (ground based spraying) for 2011 as of Thursday, September 15, 2011 due to the cooler nighttime temperatures. ULV Applications will resume around Memorial Day, 2012. In the mean time, please protect yourself from mosquito bites until the first frost.
September 10, 2011
September 3, 2011
August 30, 2011
WNV positive mosquitoes continue to be detected in the Milton area. In addition, EEE positive mosquitoes have been detected in Holbrook and Sharon. Use caution while outdoors.
August 27, 2011
August 20, 2011
August 13, 2011
August 10, 2011
WNV positive mosquitoes continue to be detected in the Milton area. In addition, EEE positive mosquitoes have been detected in Bristol and Plymouth Counties. Use caution while outdoors.
August 6, 2011
July 30, 2011
July 23, 2011
July 20, 2011
WNV positive mosquitoes have been detected in Boston, Brookline, Dedham, and Quincy. Fight the Bite! Use caution while outdoors.
July 16, 2011
July 9, 2011
July 8, 2011
July 2, 2011
June 25, 2011
May 11, 2011
The Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project (NCMCP) will conduct weekly ground based spraying on Tuesday mornings between the hours of 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM based on residents requests and mosquito activity monitoring beginning on or about May 31, 2011, weather permitting. Residents who wish to have their property sprayed by NCMCP should fill out an online request form at http://www.massrnc.org/ncmp, call them at 781-762-3681, or email ncmcp@verizon.net each week by Monday at 12:00 PM. If any resident wishes to know when the spray program may be conducted in their area, they should go to the Projects website at http://www.massnrc.org/ncmcp. Map
and/or street listings will be posted on or about 3:30 PM each Monday. Residents may also contact the Projects main telephone line (781-762-3681) after 3:30 PM each Monday to hear a recorded message detailing the streets/areas to be treated in the town. If a resident wishes to have their property excluded from these pesticide applications they must request so in writing to the Town Clerks office. Please note that this request must be made each year. Even if you requested exclusion last year you must do so again for 2011.
The Milton Board of Health and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) remind residents to reduce their risk of mosquito-borne viruses by using appropriate personal protective measures.
• Limit your time outdoors during peak periods of mosquito activity (dusk and dawn) or, if you must remain outdoors, wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants.
• Use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET or Picaridin. Oil of lemon eucalyptus may also be considered. Products with permethrin should only be used on clothing. Always follow the directions on the label. Repellents should not be used on children younger than two months of age. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
• Cover up the arms and legs of children playing outdoors. When you bring a baby outdoors, cover the baby’s carriage or playpen with mosquito netting.
• Fix any holes in screens and make sure they are tightly attached to all doors and windows.
• Remove any standing water from backyards so mosquitoes can’t breed. Mosquitoes will begin to breed in any puddle or standing water that lasts for more than four days. Make sure water does not collect and stagnate in ceramic pots, trash cans, recycling containers, old tires, wading pools, birds baths, etc. Remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of roof gutters.
More information on mosquito-borne diseases, on protecting yourself from bites by mosquitoes, and on safe application of mosquito repellents can be obtained by visiting the MDPH web site on arboviral (mosquito-transmitted) diseases www.mass.gov/dph/wnv.
Please note, the MDPH no longer collects dead bird reports or tests dead birds for West Nile Virus. If you find a dead bird on your property, the MDPH advises that dead birds can be safely disposed of in the trash. Using gloves, a shovel or plastic bags covering your hands, the dead bird should be double-bagged and placed in the trash. You should then wash your hands.
Notification of Early Morning Aerosol (ULV) Applications.pdf
May 11, 2011
March 31, 2011
The Milton Board of Health would like to advise residents that the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project (NCMCP) will continue with its comprehensive mosquito control program beginning this spring. The NCMCP’s Integrated Pest Management approach includes waterway management, larval control, and adult control.
The NCMCP will be conducting helicopter applications of the biological larvicide Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) to control mosquito larvae. The applications will be conducted over specific large wetlands in 24 communities including the Town of Milton. Go to the Projects website for spring wetland locations. The summer wetland locations will be posted if these applications are warranted.
The applications will be conducted between April 19, 2011 and April 22, 2011. If the application cannot be completed by then, the application will continue beyond these dates. As always, the weather in the spring is unpredictable. For this reason the Project cannot pin down these dates with any more accuracy.
The NCMCP will also be conducting ground based early morning aerosol applications beginning in late May and continuing through late September (weather permitting). State Regulation 333 CMR 13.04 provides a method for homeowners to exclude their property from these pesticide applications. The regulation requires that residents send a certified letter to the Town Clerk specifying: your name, address, telephone number, and the names of all abutters. In addition, the boundaries of the property must be marked every 50' by tin pie plates or other appropriate means. Please note that this request must be made each year. Even if you requested exclusion last year you must do so again for 2010. Questions regarding the regulation can be answered by calling the
Massachusetts Pesticide Bureau at (617) 626-1781.
We remind you that the mosquito species most likely to be potential vectors of West Nile Virus breed in containers such as rain gutters, kiddie pools, or any other containers which hold water for more than five days. The public can play a major role in controlling these vectors by eliminating all standing water on their property.
For further information contact John J. Smith, Project Director, at 781-762-3681 (http://massnrc.org/ncmcp) or Michael Blanchard, Health Director, Milton Board of Health, 617-898-4886. More specific information on requesting and monitoring weekly ground based spraying will be provided as the season progresses.
Notice of Aerial Larval Control Application-March 31, 2011.pdf
February 4, 2011
The Milton Board of Health would like to advise residents that the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project (NCMCP) will continue with its comprehensive mosquito control program beginning this spring. The NCMCP’s Integrated Pest Management approach includes waterway management, larval control, and adult control.
The NCMCP will be conducting helicopter applications of the biological larvicide Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) to control mosquito larvae. The applications will be conducted over specific large wetlands in 24 communities including the Town of Milton. Go to the Projects website for spring wetland locations. The summer wetland locations will be posted if these applications are warranted.
The applications will be conducted between April 11, 2011 and September 2, 2011.
The trade name of the granular formulations of Bti to be used is VectoBac G (EPA Reg. #73049-10). For further information contact John J. Smith, Director at (781) 762-3681 or the Boards of Health in the towns listed above. Information is also available on line at http://massnrc.org/ncmcp.
Notice of Aerial Larval Control Application-Feb 4, 2011.pdf
2010 NCMCP Annual Report-Milton
NCMCP Annual Report Milton 2010.pdf
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