North Jersey Events

RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO REMOVE STANDING WATER ON PROPERTY TO REDUCE MOSQUITO POPULATION

May 29, 2013 - (13/P47) TRENTON –To prevent mosquitoes this summer, the Departments of Health and Environmental Protection are asking homeowners, businesses and contractors working on rebuilding to drain sources of standing water outdoors and routinely check property for containers collecting water where mosquitoes can breed.

"While we typically don’t identify human illnesses from mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus (WNV) until late summer here in New Jersey, it’s never too early to drain sources of standing water and reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed," said Health Commissioner Mary E. O’Dowd.

Last year, New Jersey had the largest amount of human cases on record in the state—48 human cases of WNV. Concerns are elevated this year because of Superstorm Sandy has increased potential opportunities for mosquito breeding, which could increase the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, including WNV.

"This season will be especially challenging because Superstorm Sandy has created new places for mosquitoes to breed such as wet debris piles and depressions left by fallen trees," the Commissioner explained. "It’s important to remove or clean or repair anything that can collect rain or sprinkler water – such as debris, clogged or damaged gutters or old car tires."

Steps that residents, business owners and contractors can take to reduce populations of the insect on their properties include:

At least once or twice a week, empty water from flower pots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, and cans
Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out
Remove discarded tires, and other items that could collect water
Be sure to check for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home
"Mosquito control agencies in coastal counties are doing their best to treat sources of standing water caused by Sandy," said Claudia O’Malley, principal biologist in the DEP’s Office of Mosquito Control. "However, many of these sources are in places that are hard to reach, such as marshes or coastal forests, so it is even more important that homeowners do their part to offset a potential increase in mosquito breeding. Look very carefully around your property for anything that could hold water in which mosquitos can lay eggs. If you are starting to rebuild, make sure standing water is not collecting on tarps or in any receptacles.

Additional tips on how to limit mosquitoes on your property include:

Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property
Drill holes in the bottom and elevate recycling containers that are left outdoors
Repair and clean storm-damaged roof gutters, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters are easily overlooked but can produce millions of mosquitoes each season
Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use
Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in bird baths
Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, including those that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left untended can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers
Repair and maintain barriers, such as window and door screens, to prevent mosquitoes from entering buildings. Barriers over rain barrels or cistern and septic pipes will deny female mosquitoes the opportunity to lay eggs on water

More news...

 

	North Jersey Restaurant Guide Find some new places for dining and entertainment in Northern New Jersey!! Indian? French? Thai? Italian cuisine? North Jersey has it all! Click Here! Pennings Farm Harvest grill Fish and Chips Best Fish and Chips Anywhere at Pennings Farm Pennings Farm in Warwick, NY is worth a special drive for the Fish and Chips at their Harvest Grill.  Flakey fish in a delicious fried batter with sides of unpeeled french fries and homemade cole slaw, delicious! (there are other items on the menu but I never got past the fish and chips as they are consistently well prepared.) And thats not all,  soft-serve ice cream is also available for dessert and there is a Farm Market which stocks local produce and is a supporter of the "Livin' Local" movement. Fresh pickles are available and locally grown produce included "hot house" tomatoes. There is also the Apple Grader Pub featuring microbrews, world class ciders and boutique wines. On a recent visit, "Arrogant Bastard" Ale was on tap! "Pennings Farm Market has been the steadfast retailer in Orange County, New York of locally grown produce under the attentive proprietorship of Jill & Steve. Whether obtaining produce from our own farm (apples, apricots, sweet corn, nectarines, peaches, peppers, squash, tomatoes and zucchini), from the bountiful fields of Pine Island, or the many surrounding farms, Pennings Farm Market aspires to be local in what we do and what we sell. Pennings also participates in the Shop Warwick NY community loyalty program."   MORE INFO Pennings Farm Market 161 State Rte 94 S (intersection of Warwick Turnpike and Route 94) Warwick, NY (845) 986-1059 http://penningsfarmmarket.com/ show map

---

At rt23.com, we highlight the uniqueness of Northern New Jersey with articles on its scenic beauty, recreational opportunities and history.

---

The rt23.com research team is out and about finding items of interest to both long time residents and visitors. We have our pads, pencils and cameras to make a record of this scenic part of America.

The state of New Jersey has an undeserved reputation of being completely covered with big cities and big industry. We'd like to change this perception by introducing one of the least known and most beautiful parts of America. Forty percent of New Jersey is forest and woodland. An additional twenty-one percent is fruit, dairy and vegetable farms.

Rt23.com is named for North Jersey's highway Route 23 which begins at a city intersection in Verona, N.J. and ends near the Delaware River National Recreation Area. Join us as we explore the region where America begins!