Stratford's Comprehensive Mosquito Control Plan

• The Conservation Department will implement the annual mosquito surveillance and larvicide program. An equipment check will occur the week of May 20th. Identification of breeding sites and dip testing begins the same week.
• Three staff will be assigned to the mosquito control program. Staff will identify and monitor breeding sites, respond to complaints, conduct dip tests, and apply larvicide. All dip tests, mosquito breeding observations, and larvicide applications will be recorded by field staff in a daily log.
• Larvicide will be applied only on public properties. Private residents having mosquito breeding grounds on their properties will be advised about the proper use of larvicides.
• The BOE will be informed by Conservation staff of any school properties where larvicide will be applied so they can provide the necessary notification to parents as required by State law.
• The Health Department will respond to complaints about stagnant water and issue orders as indicated to abate identified problems. When a property is abandoned, or abatement is otherwise hindered, the Health Department will work with Conservation to apply larvicide if the circumstances warrant such action and a human health threat exists.
• Regular larvicide sites will be mapped in GIS and copies provided to involved Town departments.
• The State will place two traps in town at Beacon Point and Beaver Dam Road , and collect mosquitos for testing from June through October. The CT Agricultural Experiment Station will also conduct research on birds and mosquitos in the Beacon Point and adjacent area.
• Conservation will use Town traps only to monitor the level of mosquito activity in areas generating a high volume of mosquito complaints.
• The Public Works Department will monitor the status of the Hunter Haven Yard, adjacent to the WPCF, and maintain conditions to minimize mosquito breeding including regrading or surfacing areas that require alteration to prevent ponding, improving the drainage system, arranging for frequent pick-up of yard waste. WPCF will assist with the removal of stagnant water that accumulates in the Hunter Haven Yard as needed.
• The Conservation Department and Health Department will work with the CT DEP to implement ditching and/or other natural mosquito reduction measures in the wetlands surrounding the Hunter Haven Yard and near to DeLuca Field.

• The Police Department, Animal Control Unit, will collect dead birds that meet State criteria and deliver the specimens to the Health Department. Dead bird collection will cease once the State has identified 5 crows from Stratford that test positive for WNV.
• The Health Department will prepare dead bird specimens for submittal to the DEP courier who will transport the birds to the State lab for testing. The Health Department will serve as one of the regional collection sites for the Fairfield area. DEP couriers will collect birds twice a week from the Birdseye Complex from May 29th through August 30th.
• The Health Department will receive, log and submit resident reports of dead bird sightings to the CT DPH from May through October.

• The Health Department will map the location of dead bird reports and any WNV positive birds that are identified during the season.

• The Health Department will prepare and disseminate press releases, brochures and other educational materials on WNV for the public with a particular emphasis on the elderly. Materials will be placed on the Town web site.
• The Health Department will respond to public inquiries and concerns about WNV and refer mosquito complaints or inquiries about the Town larvicide program to Conservation as appropriate.
• The Health Department will conduct presentations on WNV and other pest control issues for select audiences and upon request.

• The Health Department will participate in periodic WNV conference calls convened by the CT DPH and share information with involved Town Departments.
• The Health Department will convene interagency meetings as needed to coordinate the Town’s response to and management of mosquito-borne disease threats.
• The Health Department will confer with adjacent towns/cities about WNV developments of mutual concern.
• If mosquito and/or human surveillance points to a need for the use of adulticide in Stratford , all involved Town agencies will work in concert with the State DEP and DPH to orchestrate and manage the intervention. 

• Reduce the amount of standing water around your home that could become mosquito breeding grounds.
• Reduce the amount of standing water around your home that could become mosquito breeding grounds.
• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, discarded tires or other water holding containers that have accumulated on your property.
• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, discarded tires or other water holding containers that have accumulated on your property.
• Turn over plastic wading pools, wheelbarrows and birdbaths.
• Turn over plastic wading pools, wheelbarrows and birdbaths.
• Clean clogged roof gutters.
• Clean clogged roof gutters.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock with fish.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock with fish.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. Mosquitoes may breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. Mosquitoes may breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water. Mosquitoes will breed in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water. Mosquitoes will breed in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days.
• Fix holes in screens and be sure screens are tightly attached to doors and windows.
• Fix holes in screens and be sure screens are tightly attached to doors and windows.
• Treat your lawn with the non-toxic larvicide BTI available at many hardware stores.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you are outside, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use insect repellant containing 10%-35% DEET, Higher concentrations of DEET are not needed for casual use. Carefully follow instructions on product label.
• Children should use 10% DEET or less. DEET should not be used on children under the age of two.
• When bringing a baby outdoors, cover the playpen or carriage with mosquito netting.

• The Conservation Department will be targeting selected grass areas with a non-toxic goose repellant spray to minimize grazing.
• Old waste receptacles will be replaced with rat and seagull proof receptacles.
• Litter, waste and debris will be removed on a regular basis.
• Holes and crevices where rats may live will be filled.
• Bait boxes and poison will be used at specific locations where the rat population is problematic.