Mosquito Spraying In Burlington Through April 29

BURLINGTON, MA — Mosquito spraying will be conducted in Burlington beginning Tuesday, through April 29, the town said. Pesticides will be sprayed by helicopter over the Vine Brook Swamp, near Terrace Hall Avenue and Woodside Lane.

The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project regularly sprays in town as part of a regional project. A biological larvicide, Bti, is sprayed "in a granular formation by a helicopter flying low directly over the wetlands," according to the announcement.

There's no need for special precautions, the town said.

"Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis) is a natural bacterium found in soil," the announcement continued." The EPA classifies Bti as a relatively non-toxic pesticide. Bti is considered a target selective and environmentally compatible pesticide that affects mosquito larvae and a few closely related aquatic insects in the fly family. Once applied Bti stays suspended in water for 24 to 48 hours and then biodegrades as it settles to the bottom. The product name of the Bti is VectoBac GS (EPA Reg. #73049-10)."

Residents can contact the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project at 781-899-5730 for more information.

In 2019, three Massachusetts residents died of the mosquito-borne illness Eastern equine encephalitis. Outbreaks tend to last several years.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.