East Hartford Mayor Marcia Leclerc Urges Residents to Take Protective Measures Against Mosquitoes

East Hartford, CT— East Hartford Mayor Marcia Leclerc urges residents to take personal protective measures to avoid mosquito exposure, given recent State Department of Public Health and CT Agricultural Experiment Station reports indicating the presence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in mosquito samples taken in South Windsor and other Eastern Connecticut towns. The presence of this virus often occurs this time of year and it’s driven by the type of mosquito species that become prevalent in August. The Town of East Hartford will continue its mosquito control program until the mosquito season is over. However, the most effective way to prevent infection from any mosquito-borne illness is to limit exposure to mosquitos. Please know, East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department will close all athletic fields at 5:30 p.m. until further notice. Additionally, the East Hartford Public Schools issued a statement earlier today, implementing a 5:30 pm curfew for all school-sponsored outdoor activities effective immediately. Please visit this link to read the statement from the Superintendent of Schools.

“We firmly believe in taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of our residents,” said Mayor Marcia Leclerc. “The Town of East Hartford has the most aggressive mosquito control program in our region, and we apply effective measures to reduce mosquito populations and ensure the safety and comfort of our residents.”

The latest field inspection reports from our contractor indicate only low-to-moderate larval amounts and low adult mosquito activity in the sentinel breeding areas that are regularly monitored and treated. Application of larvicides occurred today, September 25, 2019, and out of caution, some additional adulticide treatments were also applied. The Public Works Department will administer yet another round of larvicide in area catch-basins as a precautionary method.

“As we have for many years, the Town of East Hartford will continue to administer our mosquito control program until the first hard killing frost ends the mosquito season,” said Health Department Director Jim Cordier. “These efforts, along with the relatively dry weather conditions over the last few weeks, have helped keep mosquito levels in check.”

However, please note, that the Town does not treat private property or schools. The Town protects residents by treating the storm drain system and state and town-owned watercourse and wetland properties that abut neighborhoods and local parks. This helps block mosquito movement into inland residential areas. The East Hartford Health Department will proceed with treating these areas when and where necessary throughout the duration of the mosquito breeding season. 

The citizens are strongly encouraged to continue to take personal protective measures against mosquitos, which include removing sources of standing or still water as they are prime mosquito breeding grounds, such as clogged gutters, tarps, tires, rain barrels, children’s toys, lawn ornaments and flower pots. If you own a pool that is not in operation or have standing water on your property that cannot be drained, you may purchase ‘mosquito dunks’ containing larvicide from the Health Department for $10 for a pack of 20. Residents should also reduce contact with mosquitos by limiting their time outdoors at dawn and dusk in heavily infested areas, wearing long sleeves and pants and using insect repellants.

With the arrival of fall and cooler temperatures, the number of mosquitoes are expected to decline and the youth athletic groups will be notified when they may resume their evening activities. 

For additional information about the East Hartford Mosquito Control Program visit this link https://www.easthartfordct.gov/mosquito-control-info.