PLAINS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A sharp rise in the area's mosquito population has prompted officials to try and stop the spread in Luzerne County.
The Luzerne Conservation District sprayed in Plains Township Thursday, just one of several cities affected in Luzerne County.
The mosquito spray, known as aqua-duet, is applied at a rate not harmful to humans or pets, according to the conservation district.
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The product is designed to quickly knock down and effectively control adult mosquitoes.
Officials say the pest population exploded because of all the rain and standing water left behind from Hurricane Debby.
"So this is definitely the worst it's been in a few years we've had such a significant influx of mosquitoes all at once due to the low-lying flood plain with areas getting inundated during Debby," Special Projects Coordinator Keith George said.
"Both West Nile and Jamestown Canyon Virus were confirmed in samples, in fact 78 mosquito pool samples tested positive for West Nile in Luzerne County this year," George added.
