Mosquito Control
NOTICE - Town of Stratham Mosquito Spraying - October 11, 2023
PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE: The State of NH has made the town aware that mosquitos in Stratham have tested for West Nile Virus at a second location. Stratham's threat level has been raised to moderate.
The state recommends residents take steps to minimize risk of mosquito bites: if outside during evening, nighttime, and dawn hours, when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, children and adults should wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks. Residents are also encouraged to consider the use of an effective insect repellent, such as one containing DEET. In accordance with recommendations from our mosquito treatment service provider, spraying at Town parks and municipal properties has been done in early October. Further spraying is not recommended, as temperatures are expected to fall below freezing next week.
Additional resources:
NH DHHS information about mosquito-borne illnesses
West Nile Virus Fact Sheet
2023 Mosquito Control Program Update
The Select Board authorized the 2023 Mosquito Control contract with Dragon Mosquito Control, Inc. This year’s program will begin the week of April 10, 2023. This year's program includes some changes resulting from public feedback, consultation with our contractor and a review by the Town Select Board. Beginning next week, crews from Dragon will be checking swamps, salt marshes, woodland pools, ditches, storm drains and other shallow, stagnant water for mosquito larvae and applying insecticides as appropriate. More information about the treatment details can be found in 2023 public notice.
In response to concerns raised about environmental impacts (and efficacy) of roadside spraying of adulticide, town-wide nighttime road spraying will be reserved for emergency use only. This is consistent with the practice that has emerged in recent years in nearly all municipalities in our region. When spraying does occur it will be done using an organic product, Merus (pyrethrins 5.0%). Examples of emergencies leading to spraying will be in the event a public health threat emerges such as the identification of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Jamestown Canyon Virus or West Nile Virus. Our contractor, Dragon Mosquito also performs mosquito surveillance data, ensures disease testing and monitors impacts of weather conditions on mosquito population in conjunction with the State authorities. The decision to spray is made in consultation with town officials and is based upon mosquito data and the analysis. In addition to road spraying, need-based emergency spraying would be considered at the Cooperative Middle School, Stratham Memorial School, Stratham Hill Park, Stevens Field and Smyk Park.
As always, residents who do not want their property sprayed may use our No-Spray Registry online at www.dragonmosquito.com/no-spray-registry or write to Dragon Mosquito Control, Inc., P.O. Box 46, Stratham, NH 03885. Be sure to include your name, physical address, phone number, color of your house and acreage. Residents may email help@dragonmosquito.com or call 734-4144 for further information regarding dates, times, locations, insecticides, precautions, and other concerns.
Dragon Mosquito Control is the Town's contractor for the mosquito control program.
Sarah McGregor, President of Dragon Mosquito Control, can be reached at:
Dragon Mosquito Control, Inc.
PO Box 46
Stratham, NH 03885
(603) 734-4144
Email
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