CURRENT SCHEDULE: As the Zika virus continues to be a concern, the City of Palm Beach Gardens has carefully been monitoring the situation and is taking a proactive approach to ensure the safety of our community. Beginning Monday, September 26th, 2016 another mosquito spraying has been scheduled in Palm Beach Gardens. Spraying will continue through Friday, September 30th, weather permitting. Each spray will occur from dusk through 10 p.m.
The City-wide mosquito spraying treatment will utilize a new chemical called Duet®, a dual-action adulticide, to combat night and daytime flying mosquitoes. The proven active ingredients being used are prallethrin and sumithrin (a CDC recommended active ingredient for Zika control). This week, City staff completed a comprehensive larviciding process to treat all catch basins, ponding grass areas and manholes within City limits with Naturlar T-30 tablets.
In addition, the City will post signage in its parks and in public buildings to inform patrons of steps they can take to protect against the Zika virus. Residents are encouraged to take precautions at their homes that could significantly decrease mosquito breeding opportunities, especially with the increased rainfall in South Florida. Inspect your property for standing water; even the smallest amount of water in bird baths, flower pots or spare tires is enough to breed mosquito larvae. Wear long sleeved clothing or an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered bug repellant containing any of the following active agreements: DEET, Picaridin aka KBR3023, Bayrepel, Icaridin, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) or IR3535, as directed.
WHAT IS PALM BEACH GARDENS DOING ABOUT ZIKA VIRUS?
• Increased mosquito spraying to reduce the adult population & treatment of bodies of water to eliminate larvae.
• Placement of signs at parks and public facilities to raise public awareness of the Zika virus.
• Provide Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus and encourage use by all City employees, especially those who work outdoors.
• Provide Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus for on-site use by children at Riverside Youth Enrichment Center.
• Creating a Zika Information Line for residents to call with questions about Zika in Palm Beach Gardens: 561-630-1112.
• Increasing efforts to educate the public about prevention of mosquito breeding & protection against the Zika Virus.
• Monitoring information on regional Zika cases and participating in conference calls provided by Governor Rick Scott.
For additional information regarding what the City is doing about the Zika virus, please call the Gardens Zika Information line at 561-630-1112 (Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 4:30PM).