Camden County residents have new online reporting tool to combat mosquitos

The Camden County Freeholder Board’s Mosquito Commission and Health Department is leveraging technology to allow residents to report suspected mosquito breeding locations online. The board is taking more proactive steps as the threat of mosquito borne illnesses expand by providing new tools to residents and employees to make the operation more effective and efficient.

“Having a digital format for residents to go on their computers or phones and report an infestation or breeding area is invaluable,” Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez said. “The Camden County Mosquito Commission regularly checks several thousand suspected mosquito breeding sites across the county. This new tool will allow them to assist residents in their surveillance efforts and help them determine sites in need of remediation.”

Camden County residents can visit www.camdencounty.com to report mosquito hot spots. There they will also find the mosquito spraying schedule and tips for keeping yards mosquito-free.

“The county website has a link to the easy-to-use reporting form. When you click on report a mosquito issue in your town, you can select your town from a drop-down menu and provide the exact location of the problem,” Rodriguez said. “In addition to describing the issue, you can also attach a picture right in the form.”

Residents will also receive updates from the mosquito commission on the status of their report. Mosquito spraying and remediation efforts are scheduled on an as needed basis based upon the results of the Mosquito Commission’s investigation.

The mosquito sprayings take place early in the morning when mosquitoes are most active. The mosquito spray is not harmful to humans or pets, but residents should avoid direct contact if they have respiratory concerns or are sensitive to irritants.

“This is a simple and efficient new tool that can be accessed anywhere at any time to pinpoint the location of mosquito breeding locations,” Rodriguez said. “In Camden County, technology has joined the fight against mosquitoes and the diseases they carry.”

Although there have been no locally transmitted cases of Zika Virus from mosquitoes reported in New Jersey at this time, the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services is working closely with the CDC and the New Jersey Department of Health to actively monitor the situation. The prevalence of West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) are still major concerns of the Camden County Health Department and Mosquito Commission.

“The single most important thing you can do as a homeowner to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes is eliminating standing water around your yard,” Rodriguez said. “You should check your property for any object that holds water for more than a few days. All pre-adult mosquito stages (eggs, larvae, and pupae) must be in stagnant water in order to develop into adult mosquitoes.”

For more information, or for another way to report a problem, contact the Camden County Mosquito Commission at (856) 566–2945 or skeeters@camdencounty.com.