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Environmental
Mosquitos/West Nile Virus, Zika
The Montville Township Health Department urges our residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito-borne diseases, and to help reduce their population in our community by eliminating mosquito breeding habitats on their properties.
Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water or areas that are prone to flooding. The egg develops to an adult in about 5 days. Only female mosquitoes require blood meals, which they use to nourish the eggs as they develop into adults. When a mosquito bites to get the blood meal, it can transmit any communicable disease, including West Nile virus, Zika, and others, that they may be infected with.
Almost any standing water makes a good habitat for mosquitoes: flower pots, tires, tarps, unmaintained swimming pools, birdbaths, ditches, ponds, etc. Even containers as small as a plastic soda bottle cap can contain enough stagnant water for mosquitoes to breed.
Some simple steps that can be taken to reduce the numbers of mosquitoes, and protect against their bites:
- Wear EPA-registered insect repellent (consult pediatrician for products recommended for children)
- Avoid being outdoors when mosquitos are most active (for most species, dawn and dusk)
- Wear long sleeves and long pants outdoors when possible
- Cover crib, stroller and baby carrier with mosquito netting
- Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outside and use air conditioning when possible
- Reduce any sources of stagnant water on your property
Resources for assistance and/or more information:
Morris County Division of Mosquito Control - request service, sign up for email updates of mosquito treatment notifications
NJ Department of Health Communicable Disease Service - disease information, reports, data, and other resources
NJDEP Mosquito Control Commission - monitors mosquito conditions throughout the state
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - learn about the importance of mosquito control, community-level control efforts, and what you can do to make a difference at home.
Article - "What's Bugging You?"
Spotted Lantern Fly
Information for Residents --
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/spotted-laternfly
Management Guide --
https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-laternfly-management-guide
U.S. Department of Agriculture flyer --
Join the Battle. Beat the Bug.
Tick diseases / Lyme
Ticks in our area can carry and transmit many diseases, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Powassan, Rickettsiae, Tularemia, and Lyme Disease.
Lyme disease is an illness caused by bacteria that is carried by ticks and transmitted to humans by tick bites. This infection can cause a variety of symptoms, and if left untreated, can be severe. Lyme disease is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick and is not spread from person to person. Symptoms may include a rash that looks like a bulls-eye, tiredness, fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle aches, and joint pain. If left untreated, infected persons may develop arthritis, nervous system problems, and heart problems. If treated early, antibiotic therapy is generally effective.
Tick exposure can occur year-round, but ticks are most active during warmer months (April through September). To enjoy a tick-free summer, make preventing tick bites part of your plans before gardening, camping, hiking, or just playing outdoors by following the CDC’S guidelines on preventing tick bites and Lyme disease.
https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/prev/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/media/lymedisease.html
To prevent tick bites: avoid wooded areas with dense shrubs and leaf litter, wear protective clothing, use insect repellents, perform tick checks after coming in doors, and keep shrubs trimmed and lawns mowed.
If you find a tick on yourself, a loved one, or a pet, remove the tick using an approved method (see NJDOH recommendation below) and contact your physician or veterinarian.
Lyme Disease Resources
NJDOH - Tick Safety Tips video