WEST NILE VIRUS
VECTOR-BORNE DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAM
In January 2018, the Beaver County Conservation District adopted the West Nile Virus program from Penn State Extension. The program consists of surveillance, monitoring, and control of mosquito populations within Beaver County and reduction of mosquito habitat and the risk of mosquito-borne disease.
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The program works with Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Vector Management and follows the guidelines for the state vector management program and the county Pesticide Discharge Management Plan (PDMP).
Surveillance and monitoring include trapping via several methods throughout the county at fixed sites with historical West Nile activity, areas of increased mosquito populations, county public areas, and areas of concern reported by the public. Surveillance occurs annually between the months of May through October. The traps are usually set for approximately 24 hours and have identification on the trap.
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The program encourages education and habitat reduction with community outreach and efforts to help the public reduce or eliminate mosquito habitat in Beaver County. For more information on the West Nile Virus program, please contact the office.
For more information please visit: DEP West Nile Virus Control Program
Aedes albopictus in Beaver County, Pennsylvania
Information on the West Nile Virus program in Beaver County. Written by West Nile Virus Technician Phoebe Prince.
Mosquito Larvae
Culex pipiens mosquito
Gravid Trap
BG Sentinel Trap
TICKS
The Beaver County Conservation District has joined the PA Dept of Health and the PA Dept of Environmental Protection (DEP) in a 5-year tick survey. The study was initiated in 2019. This study will determine the distribution, density, and vector capabilities of ticks in Pennsylvania including Beaver County. The study involves surveillance of fixed sites and sites in public areas where people may come into contact with ticks. All active life stages of different species of ticks will be collected and sent to the DEP lab for analysis. Surveillance includes performing 100-meter tick drags within tick habitat and collecting all life stages. All species of ticks are collected with a concentration on Ixodes scapularis (black legged tick). This is a target species due to its capability of transmitting Lyme Disease and other pathogens which are a concern for human health.
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The program also encourages education and habitat reduction with community outreach and efforts to help the public with personal protection techniques and reduce or eliminate tick habitat around their homes. For more information on ticks, please contact the office.
Ixodes scapularis
