Mosquito Larvae Found Despite Pending Snowstorm and Chilly Temps

Exeter, NH - April 2nd, 2024: A messy snowstorm may be on the way for later Wednesday and Thursday, but it really is springtime and today the crew from Northeast Vegetation & Mosquito Control began surveying sites here in Exeter in search of mosquito larvae.

The town’s mosquito control program for 2024 has begun, and unfortunately, it didn’t take long to find larvae in some common mosquito breeding grounds like wetlands, marshes, drainage ditches, catch basins and floodwater areas.

Health Officer Madison Bailey and Deputy Chief Jason Fritz met up with Justin Adams, director of Mosquito Control & Surveillance at Northeast Vegetation & Mosquito Control, in the area of Drinkwater Road as he began checking for larvae during the first week of surveillance this season. Within minutes he discovered larvae in an area of standing water along the roadside – a sign that conditions are already favorable for the mosquito population unless this week’s snowstorm is significant enough to kill the existing larvae.

The mosquito control program is aimed at reducing the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses like Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus. After larvae are discovered, crews will apply larvicides to control the larvae. The treatment will depend on surveillance data, weather conditions and precipitation.

Under the program, surveillance and treatment will continue through November. Any residents who do not want treatment on their property should provide written notification to Northeast Vegetation and Mosquito Control, 63 Epping St., Raymond, N.H. 03077, or via the company’s website at

https://www.northeastvmc.com/no-spray. Residents can also request a survey of mosquito breeding on their property by emailing exeter@northeastvmc.com.

If EEE, West Nile Virus, or other arboviruses are found in mosquito populations, emergency adulticiding may be performed at schools, parks, and recreation areas. This emergency measure will be determined by surveillance data and in consultation with town officials and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Proper notification will be given before any properties undergo emergency treatment.

Please note that the crew from Northeast Vegetation & Mosquito Control will be operating a white van with the company name visible in addition to two black company trucks.

In addition to the town’s mosquito control program, residents should also do their part to help reduce the population by removing standing water on their property. Whenever it rains, eliminate mosquito breeding to help reduce the risk. Dump water out of containers such as wheelbarrows, buckets, trash barrels, tarps, boats, canoes, bird baths and any other man made container. It’s also important to check screens on windows and doors for holes whereby mosquitoes can enter your home.

For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses in New Hampshire, visit https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/.../infe.../mosquito-borne-illnesses