Pest Control
What is a Vector?
A public health vector is a living organism (like a mosquito) that can transmit infectious diseases between humans or from animals to humans. Examples of vectors include mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus and ticks that transmit Lyme disease. Vectors are typically bloodsucking insects. When these insects feed from an infected host (human or animal), they can also ingest bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms and later pass those disease-causing organisms along to the next creature that they bite, be it human or animal.
The following pages provide more information on some common pests and vectors:
What Is ACHD Doing about Public Health Vectors and Pests?
The health department monitors the abundance and geographical spread of disease vectors, and enforces the regulations (Article VI(PDF, 523KB) of the county health code) to prevent or manage pest infestations (i.e. rodents, bed bugs, cockroaches, etc.). We use public education and code enforcement to correct complaints in an effort to eliminate the environmental conditions that breed these pests.
Keeping a clean home and yard is the best way to avoid these types of problems. If a neighbor is not maintaining their home or yard and it is causing a pest infestation, a complaint can be filed by calling the Housing and Community Environment Program at 412-350-4046 or by filling out our online Complaint Form.
If you would like to know more about pest animals, insects, and ticks, please call our office at 412-350-4046.
Mosquito Surveillance and Control
Wetlands throughout Allegheny County that are known to be breeding sites for mosquitoes are treated by the health department every spring to help knock down the mosquito population in those areas before the summer, and mosquito season, begins. Excellent EPA-approved methods and materials are applied to the wetlands to prevent a large number of nuisance mosquitoes from hatching and traveling into nearby neighborhoods.
The health department is also part of a large statewide surveillance and control program actively involved in trapping mosquitoes to track the spread of West Nile virus and other viruses that infect people and animals. Every summer since 2002, West Nile virus has been detected in certain species of mosquitoes in Allegheny County. In City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods with historical West Nile activity, thousands of catch basins holding stagnant water are treated with pesticide every summer by health department staff in an effort to curb a major source of mosquito breeding.
Allegheny County neighborhoods with high levels of West Nile virus activity based on surveillance data may also be treated with a truck-mounted sprayer to knockdown infectious mosquitoes. Up-to-date mosquito surveillance data and information about mosquito control events can be found at the PA Department of Environmental Protection's Vector Management page. The health department makes public announcements when this spraying is occurring.
Extension Pest Control Services
The health department provides expert pest identification and consultation to help identify and control public health pests. Specimens (ticks, mosquitoes, flies, fleas, bed bugs, etc.) may be mailed, submitted in person, or photographed and sent via email to the County Entomologist for identification and guidance on how to best manage the pest.
Small animal traps are also available on loan for Allegheny County residents to control nuisance wildlife on personal property. To make an appointment for a consultation or to find out if traps are available please call 412-350-4046.