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Aerial Mosquito Spraying this week in The Woodlands

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THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS (September 18, 2017) – Nightly aerial mosquito spraying is taking place in the region including The Woodlands this week as mosquito populations have increased significantly due to flooding from Hurricane Harvey.

The Woodlands Township continues to aid and work with partners in order to help residents in the hardest hit areas of The Woodlands and to help all of The Woodlands return to normal. This update includes the Township’s most updated information about recycling, mosquito spraying and other items.

MOSQUITO SPRAYING

Mosquito populations have increased significantly throughout southeast Texas due to the flooding from Hurricane Harvey. To address this, the State and Federal Government are conducting aerial spraying in Harris, Montgomery, and Liberty Counties between September 14 and September 20, 2017, weather permitting. Aerial spraying has begun in The Woodlands Township and will continue tonight, Monday, September 18, 2017 through Wednesday, September 20, 2017. There is a potential to go later in the week if there are weather delays. Spraying will occur in different sections of The Woodlands each night. Currently, only one aerial treatment is scheduled for each section. An update will be posted when spraying is complete. For more information about specifics, please scroll to the end of this news release.

FEMA RUMORS

The Township has learned that some individuals may be going door to door asking residents to pay for debris removal and then indicating that they will be reimbursed at a late date by a FEMA voucher. We believe that this is a scam, unable to find such a FEMA voucher system for debris removal. The County FEMA debris contractors and the Township Waste Management contractors provide the service at no cost to the resident and will not ask residents for payment.

UPDATE REGARDING DEBRIS COLLECTION

The first of the Township’s contracted debris removal in the Village of Creekside Park through Waste Management has been substantially completed. The Township’s contractor will be making a second pass cycle tomorrow beginning in Timarron Lakes. Residents must have all debris moved to be within 12 feet of the curb.

The Harris County FEMA debris removal contractors have begun collecting debris in The Woodlands Township in the Village of Creekside Park and will complete the remainder of the first pass and then continue with a second pass beginning in Timarron. Residents must register with Harris County for debris removal as they expect to make several passes throughout the county over the next several weeks and may replace the Township’s contracted service. Here is the number to register:

713-274-3880 for Harris County debris removal

A temporary debris drop off site has been established at Wendtwoods Park, 8950 Creekside Green Dr., by the community gardens and soccer field. The debris site is self service and open to Creekside residents Monday, September 18, 2017 through Sunday, September 24, 2017, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For Harris County clean-up assistance, please contact CrisisCleanup.org, visit HarrisRecovery.org, or call 1-800-451-1954 to report your need. 

TRASH AND RECYCLING

Residential trash and recycling services resumed on Monday, September 11, 2017. Due to heavy accumulations of recycling, many residential routes were delayed this past week. However, all routes were completed by the end of Saturday, Sept 16, 2017. If your trash or recycling was not serviced this past week, please contact Waste Management Customer Service at 1-800-800-5804 to request return service. Interruptions or delays are not expected the week of Sept 18, 2017.

The Recycling Center at 5402 Research Forest Drive is maintaining normal operating hours: Wednesdays, 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Simple Recycling for curbside textile recycling is now servicing all routes in The Woodlands on their normal solid waste service day.

The  Precinct 3 Recycling Center, 1122 Pruitt Road, is maintaining normal operating hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Precinct 3 Recycle Center will remain open during normal Saturday business hours and will NOT be accepting flood debris.

COUNTY PRESS RELEASES

Depending on your county of residence, access the latest information from:

FEMA—Be sure you are registered with FEMA if you have had storm damage

Please view a collection of links from FEMA to address concerns on registering for assistance, applying for loans, tips on how to save damaged family and personal treasures, renters help and other helpful information from FEMA.

Please be sure to register with FEMA if you have suffered any damage or been impacted by Harvey. The Township has received notice of the President’s FEMA Declaration for Montgomery and Harris Counties. This declaration will allow county governments to initiate debris removal programs and provide reimbursement of certain emergency expenses incurred by local government during the emergency and will allow individuals to start filing for emergency assistance.

Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Constituents may call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), please call 1-800-621-3362.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT MOSQUITO SPRAYING

The most up-to-date information is provided by The Texas Department of State Health Services:https://dshs.texas.gov/news/updates.shtm

They have an extensive explanation of aerial spraying here: https://dshs.texas.gov/news/releases/2017/Questions-AerialMosquitoControl.aspx

In Summary:

  • Spray operations are coordinated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and conducted by the Department of Defense (DOD) utilizing large Air Force C-130 airplanes flying at low elevation – 300 ft.
  • Spraying is done between dusk and dawn when most mosquitoes are more active and to limit impact on beneficial insects like bees.
  • Planes will also fly during daytime hours to assess their flight paths. Daytime flights will NOT spray insecticide.
  • Planes are equipped with nozzles that create micro-droplets of insecticide that float in the air and kill mosquitoes on contact.
  • Naled (Dibrom) is the product that will be used.
    • Naled is an EPA-registered insecticide and does not pose a health risk to children or adults when applied according to label instructions.
    • A small amount of active ingredient is sprayed over a large area. Application rate is less than 1 oz (1.5 tablespoons) per acre.
    • It is approved for application directly to food crops at higher rates than those used for mosquito control.
    • Micro-droplets degrade rapidly when exposed to sunlight or water.
    • Because Naled is an insecticide, invertebrates such as insects and spiders could be affected. Long-term negative effects on exposed pets and small wildlife are not expected. Risks to wildlife are minimal.
    • The State and Counties suggest that residents who are concerned about exposure to aerial spraying stay indoors during the evening aerial application.
    • For more in-depth information consult the EPA information on Naled: https://www.epa.gov/mosquitocontrol/naledmosquito-control##1
  • Aerial spraying targets flood plain mosquitoes. These mosquitoes proliferate in such large numbers after flood events that they can severely impact recovery efforts and quality of life. These mosquitoes generally do not carry disease.
  • Remaining stagnant water will soon cause an increase in mosquitoes that can spread diseases like West Nile virus. Please take precautions to protect yourself and your family including emptying all standing water around your home each week, wearing EPA-approved repellent, and limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk.

Source: The Woodlands Township

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