SMETHPORT — McKean County has announced the kickoff of the mosquito surveillance season.

The Department of Environmental Protection implements various tools and strategies to control mosquito populations. This reduces the transmission of mosquito-borne illnesses and allows the public to enjoy outdoor spaces. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) incorporates mosquito surveillance, public outreach and education, source reduction, and larval and adult control.

McKean County contracts with McKean Environmental Solutions LLC to conduct surveillance and control monthly, or more frequently if needed. These efforts are primarily focused in public areas or other known problematic sites that create communitywide problems.

The mosquito surveillance season begins April 1 and continues through October.

County representatives ask for residents’ help in:

• identifying and advising the county about potential problematic areas (i.e. stormwater drains that hold water, retention ponds, drainage ditches, etc.)
• adopting ordinances to prevent waste tires and stagnant water where mosquito larvae may breed
• Store heavy equipment with buckets down or under a roof
• Make sure drainage systems are working
• Avoid mowing wet areas so tire ruts are not formed
• Make sure artificial containers such as trash cans are flipped or have holes drilled in the bottom
• Keep empty sewer treatment plant tanks vacuumed and dry