To help control the mosquito population and hopefully prevent the spread of the West Nile Virus, Oxford Township is currently offering residents both water-soluble pouches and briquettes specially designed to kill mosquito larvae.
Both products are available free of charge.
The Vectrolex Water Soluble Pouches (pictured above on the right) can be used in storm drains, catch basins, retention, detention and seepage ponds. This product is well suited for residential use to cover smaller areas. One pouch covers 50 square feet and usually lasts between 1-4 weeks.
The donut-shaped BTI Briquets (pictured above on the left) cover up to 100 square feet of surface area, regardless of depth, for up to thirty days. The briquettes are formulated to time release the BTI chemicals. Both the water pouches and briquettes will have instructional and use guidelines included.
The next one to four weeks is the best time to apply mosquito larvicides, according to the township.
Residents are urged to carefully read the product guidelines and be cautious when applying these products.
Currently, because of the high demand for these products, the township has a limited supply of the briquettes on hand, but more have been ordered. There is a much larger quantity of water-soluble pouches available.
Residents can come to the Treasurer’s Office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to pick up either two pouches or two briquettes to start. This should allow all residents to receive either product initially. The township is requesting that residents give them their name, address, phone number and whether they would like more than the initial allocation. When the additional supplies arrive, residents will be notified on a first-come first-served basis until the supplies are exhausted.
In addition to the pouches and briquettes, Oxford Township is currently obtaining prices for general spraying of township parks and open drainage and catch basin areas.
Oakland County has allocated $8,591 to Oxford Township to help control the mosquito population, which is the main carrier of the West Nile Virus.
An informational West Nile brochure, compliments of the State of Michigan, will be included in the township’s summer tax statements that will be mailed out by the end of June.