Louise Vitale of Winslow Township, New Jersey is just one of over 200 Camden County residents who called the county Mosquito Extermination Commission to complain about the pests. The agency says it's a record number for this time of year but it's not surprising.
"We've had several Nor'easters and this gave us more water than we've seen since they've been recording the water table," said Art Jamieson of the Camden county Mosquito Extermination Commission.
The mosquito commission employees have been out every day since March searching for mosquito larvae. They become biting adults in just 8 days.
Once the breeding grounds are identified they are sprayed with BTI, a bacterial pesticide that is fatal to the larvae but safe for the environment.
"We put it in the jar and take it back to the lab and our identification specialists identify the species. And it helps the inspectors to know what species so they know what habitats to look for to control it," said Tim Forest who is also of the Mosquito Extermination Commission.
There are 64 mosquito species in New Jersey. The most troubling are the Asian Tiger which is out during the day and the Culex Pipious, which is the carrier of the West Nile Virus.
"Camden County had two cases of West Nile last year and so we think it's a problem for sure," said Jamieson.
The public can do its part getting rid of free standing water from birdbaths, tarps, planters and any place where water collects.
