Mosquitos & Ticks

Mosquitos carry different diseases and have varying habits. Some bite during the day, while others bite at night. That's why it is important to "fight the bite" day and night. There are many different mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, and Zika Virus. Learn what you can do to protect yourself and your family members to assure that your property is not a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

What You Can Do

  • Monitor your property for any containers holding water and address by emptying daily; cover or drill holes in the bottom of the container if needed.
  • Make certain to clean and sanitize your pool.
  • Maintain mechanical barriers such as window and door screens.

What Gloucester County Is Doing

Gloucester County uses an Integrated Mosquito Management program to control the mosquito population. This program utilizes various techniques that include the following:

  • Adulticide - Spray Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved products to reduce mosquito populations.
  • Larvicide - Use mosquito-fish or EPA approved products to kill mosquito larvae in standing water.
  • Personal Protection - Encourage changing personal habits to reduce mosquito bites and instill the importance of taking protective measures to reduce personal risks.
  • Public Awareness - Information is provided to residents through press releases, group presentations, website materials, and pamphlets. For additional information call 856-218-4106 Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
  • Reduce Mosquito Breeding Grounds - The Health Department will investigate and work closely with local officials to assure abatement of conditions that support mosquito breeding habitats, such as standing water. Call 856-218-4170 Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm to report a concern.
  • Requests for Services - Throughout the mosquito season, the Gloucester County Mosquito Control Division receives and responds to requests from County residents, schools, businesses, and organizations and will provide an application of EPA approved pesticides upon request. Mosquito Control can be reached Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm at 856-307-6400.
  • Surveillance - Collection and identification of mosquitoes for lab analysis of the virus and increased survey of areas for pesticide applications.

Tick-Borne Diseases

Tick-borne diseases are infections transmitted by the bite of infected ticks. Personal prevention measures and surveillance and control are key in preventing and controlling vector-borne diseases.

Protect Yourself from Tick Bites

Make tick bite prevention part of your outdoor plans by doing the following:

  • Know where to expect ticks. Blacklegged ticks (the ticks that cause Lyme disease) live in moist and humid environments, particularly in and near wooded or grassy areas. You may get a tick on you during outdoor activities around your home or when walking through leaves and bushes.
  • To avoid ticks, walk in the center of trails and avoid walking through tall bushes or other vegetation
  • Repel ticks on skin and clothing. Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin for protection that lasts several hours.
  • Always follow product instructions. Parents should apply this product to their children, avoiding hands, eyes, and mouth. Use products that contain permethrin on clothing.
  • Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks, and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. It remains protective through several washings. Pre-treated clothing is available and may be protective longer.
  • Perform Daily Tick Checks Check your body for ticks after being outdoors even in your own yard. Search your entire body for ticks when you return from an area that may have ticks.
  • Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body and remove any tick you find. Take special care to check these parts of your body and your child's body for ticks such as:
    • Around the waist
    • Back of the knees
    • Between the legs
    • In and around all head and body hair
    • In and around the ears
    • Inside the belly button
    • Under the arms

Protect Your Property from Ticks

  • Create a woodchip or mulch border between your yard and wooded areas
  • Keep areas under bird feeders and pet dishes clean, so it does not attract animals that may carry ticks
  • Keep children's toys, playground equipment, pools, and lawn furniture at least 15 feet from wooded areas
  • Keep grass mowed short
  • Keep trash in closed containers or areas so it does not attract animals that may carry ticks
  • Make your yard unattractive to ticks and animals that carry ticks