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Dear Residents:
Rutherford Borough Officials are once again this year asking for the cooperation of residents by reporting all sick, injured or dead crows, hawks and falcons, in order to track and control the spread of the West Nile Virus (WNV).
Residents can report sick, injured or dead crows, hawks and falcons to the Rutherford Health Department weekdays 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. at 201-460-3020 and at other hours directly to the Rutherford Police Department at 201-939-6000.
Crows, more than any other bird native to New Jersey, are especially susceptible to illness and death from the WNV. Testing crows for WNV is the best way to know where the virus is circulating and where enhanced mosquito control activities may need to occur in the Borough.
It is also important for all property owners to eliminate all sources of standing water such as old tires, cans, and blocked gutters and to properly maintain swimming pools and change water in birdbaths weekly. Standing water allows for the breeding of mosquitoes, with the mosquito being the mode of transmission of the West Nile Virus to humans.
Additional information on the West Nile Virus is available on the State of New Jersey West Nile Virus Alert and Fact Sheet web site, and at the Bergen County Department of Health Services web site.
Residents with specific questions can contact the Rutherford Health Department weekdays between 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. at 201-460-3020 for assistance. Concerns about the Borough’s West Nile Virus Surveillance Program can be addressed to Councilwoman Denise Ross, Health Department Liaison at 201-460-3000 extension 3169.
On behalf of the Governing Body, help us to help you and we can succeed in reducing the risk of the West Nile Virus to our residents.
Very truly yours,
Mayor Bernadette P. McPherson
West Nile Virus News Release On Property Clean Up
Rutherford Borough Officials are encouraging property owners to inspect their properties for sources of stagnant water that can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. With the warm weather approaching, it is anticipated that the West Nile Virus (WNV) will be returning to our area once again this year. Since mosquitoes are the main mode of transmission to humans of the WNV, it is imperative that all sources of standing water be eliminated to reduce the breeding of mosquitoes.
Mosquito breeding around the home can be decreased significantly by reducing the amount of standing water available. The State Department of Environmental Protection has listed the following 10 ways to reduce mosquito breeding:
- Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property. Do not overlook containers that have become overgrown by aquatic vegetation.
- Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have accumulated on your property. The used tire has become the most important domestic mosquito producer in this country.
- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors. Drainage holes that are located on the sides collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed in.
- Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters are easily overlooked but can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
- Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. A wading pool becomes a mosquito producer if it is not used on a regular basis.
- Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths. Both provide breeding habitat for domestic mosquitoes.
- Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left untended by a family that goes on vacation for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.
- Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes will develop in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days.
- Maintain mechanical barriers (i.e. window and door screens) to prevent mosquitoes from entering buildings.
Additional information on the West Nile Virus is available on the State of New Jersey West Nile Virus Alert and Fact Sheet web site and at the Bergen County Department of Health Services web site.
Residents with specific questions can contact the Rutherford Health Department weekdays between 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. at 201-460-3020 for assistance. Concerns about the Borough’s West Nile Virus Surveillance Program can be addressed to Councilwoman Denise Ross, Health Department Liaison at 201-460-3000 extension 3169.
On behalf of the Governing Body, help us to help you and we can succeed in reducing the risk of the West Nile Virus to our residents.
Very truly yours,
Mayor Bernadette P. McPherson
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