Locals Urged to Take 'Simple, Common-Sense Steps' to Avoid Mosquitoes, EEE

Eastern Equine Encephalitis found in Easton may have caused the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to , but that isn't going to stop many locals from day-to-day activities - even when the sun is beginning to go down.

"I’ll just spray more with bug spray when I’m out walking," said Holmes Street resident Kim Susan McAllister as she walked her golden retriever Ella in Wednesday at dusk.

Her sentiment was echoed by many in Easton's parks and public spaces as the sun began to fall behind the trees.

"There’s a lot of mosquitos around here," said Kim Carvalho of Holmes Street. "I’m not really concerned, but I do my best to keep them off me just because they’re a nuisance more than anything."

Carvalho was tending to her community garden plot at the . She said she usually stops by the garden near dusk to avoid the heat.

She said she is always careful to wear long sleeves when she works at night.

"I guess I’ll just take more precautions now that I know," she said.

In a nearby plot, Walter Noland of Brockton said he keeps bug spray in his truck, but he would be an advocate of aerial spraying.

Massachusetts didn't spray for mosquitos last summer, which was the cause of controversy after the death of a Raynham man in September.

This year, Easton, Raynham and Taunton are under a "high risk" alert, but no plans are underway for aerial spraying.

The town has not announced any plans to alter night-time activities, and no curfews have been enacted. Frothingham Park and Sheep Pasture close at dusk while Borderland State Park closes at 8 p.m. in the summer.

Public Health Agent Kristin Kennedy said residents should check the Town of Easton website for any updates related to EEE. Tips for staying safe can be found in a .

“Today is our first indication this year that EEE is circulating in our environment, and it’s circulating early,” said DPH State Epidemiologist Dr. Al DeMaria “This is also an important reminder for individuals to take simple, common-sense steps to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes.”

Carvalho said she is doing her best.

"I don’t know," she said. "They’re ferocious."