News

Mosquito surveillance being performed by Penn State Cooperative Extension staff in York County is indicating populations of Asian Tiger Mosquitoes again for 2012. Populations were first detected in York County in 2002 from two municipalities and this year have now been detected in twenty two municipalities. The Asian Tiger Mosquito is active during the day with an aggressive and repeat biting behavior making it a major nuisance to people and pets. Residents bitten by this mosquito may develop welts the size of a quarter and larger. Research shows that this mosquito is also attract to Butterfly Bush, which is native to the same area of Asia. The Asian Tiger Mosquito is also attracted to the odor from pet waste when host seeking a blood-meal. Pet owners need to be responsible and clean up and dispose pet waste properly. Individuals may spray their property for mosquito control with products available at most hardware stores. Commercial pest companies may also be contacted. Many residents report that using repellent is ineffective against the Asian Tiger Mosquito. While trying to enjoy your backyard or deck some relief may come from using an electric fan outside to keep the air moving around you. These mosquitoes are weak fliers and the breeze will help keep most away.

The breeding requirements of Asian Tiger Mosquitoes are different then what residents are familiar with. Asian Tiger Mosquitoes deposit their eggs in artificial containers. Any kind of trash left along roads or in yards may become breeding sources. Yard clutter not stored properly will also be used by Asian Tiger Mosquitoes. Larvae have been collected from corrugated piping that residents use on downspouts. Other typical sources such as tires, tarps, kiddy toys, flower pots and trash dumpsters are also used by the Asian Tiger Mosquito. Eggs are laid before water is present and remain viable through winter. Each time rain water accumulates in these containers more eggs will hatch. During summer weather conditions Asian Tiger Mosquitoes can develop from egg to flying adult within seven days. Asian Tigers are occasionally introduced into new areas of York County with products transported from other parts of the US and world. Asian Tiger Mosquitoes cannot successfully establish populations if communities perform routine clean-up efforts. To eliminate and prevent Asian Tiger populations from occurring residents, municipalities and businesses are advised to participate in community wide clean-up efforts. If clean-up does not occur throughout your community, larger populations of Asian Tiger Mosquitoes will most likely be present next year.

What is the York County West Nile Virus Program doing about Asian Tiger Mosquitoes? Penn State Cooperative Extension staff perform routine surveillance throughout York County. In areas where residents and businesses report concerns of Asian Tiger Mosquitoes specially designed traps are used. Attempts are made to educate residents to cleanup. Any containers or yard clutter found during routine surveillance are dumped and turned over to prevent Asian Tiger Mosquitoes from developing. Mosquito spraying performed by Penn State Extension is performed during the evening hours to target mosquito species potentially carrying West Nile Virus and does not greatly reduce Asian Tiger Mosquito populations. Residents experiencing Asian Tiger Mosquitoes in York County are asked to report their address information to the York County West Nile Virus Program by calling 717-840-2375 or email tls35@psu.edu.

CONTACT: Thomas Smith
Penn State Cooperative Extension – York County
West Nile Virus Program Coordinator
717-840-2375

Penn Waste accepts unlimited amounts of recycling and cardboard of any size and any quantity.

PLEASE BREAK DOWN BOXES AS FLAT AS POSSIBLE

EAST MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP LEAF COLLECTION

BURNING LEAVES IS PROHIBITED

• Collection will begin Monday, October 29th.
• The best way to handle leaves is to compost them, then use for landscaping and gardening. If composting is not an option, leaves can
be raked to the curb for pick-up.
• Rake your leaves out as soon as possible. Due to unknown weather conditions it is impossible to schedule specific days. Our crew will
continue moving throughout the township until the last day of pickup.
• Place leaves curbside in windrows (long narrow piles), for easier pick-up.
• LEAVES ONLY – NO STICKS, BRUSH, TRASH or ANIMAL WASTE
• Last day of pick-up will be the Friday, December 7th. Leaf equipment will be removed from trucks and snow equipment installed.

Questions? Call the township office at 266-6735.

Department of Public Works

News for Immediate Release
Oct. 13, 2011
PennDOT Reminds Homeowners to Prepare Mailboxes for Winter

Harrisburg – PennDOT reminds residents living along rural state and local roads that now is the time to prepare mailboxes for the winter months. Snow thrown from plows can easily damage mailboxes that are not prepared.

Mailboxes are normally placed within the state’s legal right-of-way; however, mailbox damage is the responsibility of the property owner.

If a mailbox is placed as far from the edge of the road as the carrier can reach from a vehicle and the mailbox is placed on a sturdy support, it should be able to withstand the force of snow thrown from a plow.

PennDOT offers these tips to help reduce the risk of mailbox damage:

Place a 6- to 8-inch piece of reflective tape on the mailbox to help snow plow operators see it at night.
Remove snow from around the mailbox, but never throw it back onto the road.
If the mailbox is located within the legal right-of-way and damage was experienced in the past, homeowners may want to consider repositioning the mailbox before winter.

Homeowners who have followed these tips in the past and have still experienced mailbox damage may wish to consider installing a cantilevered mailbox support that will swing a mailbox out of harm’s way. Visit www.dot.state.pa.us for a copy of plans for a cantilever mailbox support.

Contact your local post office for more information about how to correctly position a mailbox.