Monmouth County Advising Residents to Watch for Asian Tiger Mosquito

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FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Mosquito Extermination Commission is warning residents to be on the lookout for the Asian tiger mosquito.
“Protect yourself and your family by keeping your yard mosquito habitat free,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso, liaison to the commission. “Don’t forget to look behind your shed, under your deck or porch and under bushes.”
The Asian tiger mosquito, or ATM, is a medium-sized black and white mosquito that feeds during the day and primarily on people. It was first discovered in Monmouth County in 1995 and has since spread throughout our communities and greatly increased in numbers. It is extremely aggressive and can potentially transmit several diseases including West Nile Virus and Dog Heartworm.
“The larvae of the ATM can be found living in water collected in containers of almost any size,” said DiMaso. “A container, as small as a soda bottle top, may be home to hundreds of mosquito larvae.”
Commonly found containers include old tires, buckets, children’s toys, flower pot saucers, tarps and bird baths.  Less known containers include holes in portable basketball hoop bases, flexible downspout extensions, and boats.  Any container that can hold water for more than seven days can provide a home for mosquito larvae.
There are several ways to prevent creating a home for mosquito larvae, which include:

  • Keeping buckets, wheel barrows, trash bins, etc. free of standing water.
  • Changing water in kiddie pools, pet dishes and bird baths at least every seven days.
  • Discarding all unwanted containers like empty cans and old tires.

Monmouth County residents can dispose of rim-less tires, free of charge, at the Monmouth County Reclamation Center.  For more information call 732-683-8686 or visit www.visitmonmouth.com.
For more information about the Asian tiger mosquito and mosquito control, you can contact the Monmouth County Mosquito Extermination Commission at 732-542-3630 or visit our webpage at www.visitmonmouth.com/mosquito.