ALBANY COUNTY — Mosquito season is here. As the county starts applying larvicide, it asks residents to report birds that have died in the past 24 hours — crows in particular.

The Albany County Health Department has planned strategic, targeted larvicide applications for 2007. West Nile virus surveillance findings will be used to target particular areas around the county, according to County Executive Michael Breslin’s office.

Beginning July 2, after findings are reported, certified municipal and county workers will apply residual mosquito larvicide in the targeted areas, according to Kerri Battle, spokeswoman for Breslin’s office.
Depending on what is appropriate, either 30-day or 150-day residual mosquito larvicide will be applied. Both briquets contain methoprene and are given a toxicity category of "caution," according to Breslin’s office.

The treatments will occur in: the cities of Albany, Cohoes, and Watervliet; the towns of Bethlehem, Colonie, Guilderland, and Coeymans; and the villages of Colonie, Menands, Ravena, Voorheesville, Green Island, and Altamont.

County officials are reminding residents to reduce mosquito-breeding sites at their homes by eliminating any standing water. Stagnant water can be found in clogged gutters, old tires, swimming pool covers, and bird baths.

Battle said the countywide larvicide application is to prevent West Nile virus, which is carried by mosquitoes. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 15,000 people in the United States have tested positive for West Nile Virus since 1999 when it was first detected.

Since being introduced to North America, the virus has spread to all 48 continental states, seven Canadian provinces, and throughout Mexico.

The larvicide applications are consistent with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health, Battle said.

A map of the areas being treated by larvicide and larvicide Material Safety Date Sheets can be reviewed at the Albany County Department of Health from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Additional information and maps may be viewed by either calling 447-4620 or on the county’s website at www.albanycounty.com.

To report dead birds, residents may call either the county’s Environmental Division at 447-4620 or the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-866-537-BIRD (2473).

For questions on identifying mosquito breeding grounds and the use of larvicide, residents may call the county’s Environmental Division.