WORCESTER – Worcester will begin spraying areas of the city for mosquito control starting Tuesday, city officials said.
The city has partnered with the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project to reduce public exposure to mosquitoes and the potential for mosquito-borne disease transmission, including West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). .
Spray dates in June are Tuesday 21st and 27th June.
Residents are advised to observe the following precautions if their area is being sprayed:
Close windows facing the street and turn off any “outdoor air” settings on air conditioners. Keep pets indoors between sunset and midnight, and do not allow children to play near or behind truck-mounted applicators when they are in use. 15-20 minutes later, wash vegetables from home gardens after spraying and before consuming.
Accidental exposure is not expected to cause any health problems in most people, although anyone who suffers from chemical sensitivities or feels that the spray may aggravate a pre-existing health condition should consult their doctor and take special measures to avoid exposure if necessary, officials said. Accidental exposure to pets should also not cause any problems, as the pesticide used is similar to those used for flea and tick control.
Residents may choose not to spray their property during a wide area pesticide application following instructions from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. web site.
The complete spraying program will be updated during 2023. Specific areas to spray will be posted on both their website and phone system, 508-393-3055, daily after 3:30 pm
The city will also alert residents in specific areas and neighborhoods to be sprayed via email, social media and text messages. Residents interested in receiving these alerts should ensure they are registered ALERTWorcester with an updated email and/or phone number. Additional alerts will be sent if cases of mosquito-borne diseases are detected and require emergency spraying.
Scheduled dates are subject to change due to weather conditions, mosquito populations, mosquito virus activity and/or special event spraying, officials said.
Service requests can be submitted by clicking here or by calling 508-393-3055, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 508-281-6786 or email MosquitoProgram@mass.gov.
Information about the products and integrated pest management program used by CMMCP is available at www.cmmcp.org/pesticide-information.
To avoid mosquito bites and the diseases they can transmit, residents are encouraged to practice the “5 Sats:”
DRESS with long sleeves and pants when possible. Cover up during periods of mosquito activity. DEET is an effective insect repellent. Always follow label directions. DAWN AND FALL are the most active periods for mosquitoes. DRAIN the water from the containers weekly. Avoid standing water, such as rain that collects in open containers, buckets, or toys.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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