Lacey Township News

Despite all the different mosquito species and various mosquito habitats in Ocean County, they all have at least one thing in 
common; all mosquitos require water to complete their life cycle.  Mosquitos have 4 different developmental stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult.  Depending on the species, female mosquitos will lay their eggs either on the water's surface, edges of emergent vegetation or damp soil depressions that will become inundated by rain and or tide.

The eggs hatch into the aquatic life stage known as larvae.  Larvae grow by feeding on organic matter in the water and go through 4 growth stages called instars.  After the 4th instar, the larvae molt into pupae, beginning to prepare for adulthood.  The pupa is still an aquatic stage and is where the mosquito undergoes metamorphosis in order to become the flying adult.  Shortly after emerging, the female mosquitoes fly off in order to see a bloodmeal.  The mosquito doesn't gain nutrition from blood feeding.  Instead, the proteins from the blood are used to help her eggs to develop.  Once egg laying is completed, she will host seek for another bloodmeal in order to lay further batches of eggs.

In Ocean County, we have identified 40 different mosquito species that are found in a wide variety of habitats.  These include roadside ditches, flooded woodlands, freshwater swamps, storm water basins, artificial containers and coastal salt marshes.  Salt marsh breeding species constitute by far the majority of pest problems throughout the county.  Heaviest populations of these mosquitoes occur in southern Ocean County.  These mosquitoes can travel over 20 miles for a bloodmeal and can be found to the western borders of the county. 

The Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is an invasive species that has adapted well to Ocean County.  These aggressive biters lay eggs in artificial containers found outside of the home.  All they need is enough water to fill a bottle cap to lay eggs! Common breeding spots for the Asian Tiger Mosquito include flowerpots, buckets, uncovered garbage cans and lids, folds in tarps, and old tires.  

Animals can also be the targets of mosquito diseases.  Dog heartworm is an ever-present threat to your pet's life and is costly to treat once it has been contracted.  Horses can contract EEE and it is important to have them vaccinated against this disease.  Horses are susceptible to WNV and a vaccine has recently been approved.  Contact your veterinarian for more information.  WNV has been responsible for deaths in several species of birds, particularly in wild populations.

What does the Mosquito Commission do?

Our water management program utilizes both heavy equipment (excavators) and hand tools to remove accumulated debris and restore proper drainage to a number of natural and manmade aquatic habitats. Additionally, a technique called Open Marsh Water Management to eliminate mosquito breeding in the salt marshes (i.e. grassy tidal lands surrounding Barnegat Bay) of Ocean County.  This technique controls mosquitoes by increasing tidal flow or providing access to predacious fish or other natural predators.  Successful water management projects ultimately reduce the need to apply pesticides for larval mosquitos.

The commission stocks Mosquito Fish (Gambusia affinis), Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas) and other mosquito predacious fish species in applicable breeding areas to reduce the use of pesticides.  These fish are made available by the N.J. Division of Fish & Wildlife as part of the State mosquito Control Commission's bio-control program.  The commission also runs a comprehensive adult mosquito surveillance program, which helps us keep abreast of adult mosquito populations throughout Ocean County.  The system utilizes a countywide network of Light Traps and Landing Rate Counts to determine the size and species make-up of our mosquito population.  Mosquito collections are conducted for virus testing using Gravid traps, CDC traps, BGS traps and resting boxes.

For larval mosquito control by ground we use liquid Bti under the brand names Vectobac, Aquabac, and Technar.  By air our primary larvicide is BTI, brand name Vectobac.  However on occasion we utilize the granular products of Bti, and Methoprene with brand names VectoPrime and MetaLarv.  Also there are occasions where very small applications of hand applied products are made to small breeding sites.  At that time we would use Larvicide oil, brand name BVA Oil, or Bti Briquettes, brand name Mosquito Dunks.  

On rare occasions, adult mosquito control may be necessary.  With a ground ULV sprayer we would use Etofenprox, brand name Zenivex, and if aerial application had to be made, it would be with Malathion brand names Fyfanon, Sumithrin/Prallethrin (with a brand name of Duet), Pyrethins (with a brand name of Merus), or Etofenprox (with a brand name of Zenivex).

For more information on the pesticides used for larval and adult mosquito control, and how to limit your exposure, please refer to the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection approved pesticide fact sheets.  All pesticides applications are made by state licenses pesticide applicators/operators.  FACT SHEETS FOR LISTED PESTICIDES 

Attached is an example of a newspaper notice that the Commission places in two local newspapers every three weeks throughout the mosquito season.  

Visit our Website - www.oceancountymosquito.org.  There you will find more information on our program and numerous links to more information about mosquitoes.  You will also find updates on any adult mosquito control, which may be necessary.  You can call the commission for any specific information at (609) 698-8271 Monday through Friday between 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

NJDEP Bureau of Pesticide Compliance and Enforcement*:  1-609-984-6568  
For pesticide regulation information & misuse complaints