After West Nile Virus Found In Framingham, Mosquito Spraying Scheduled

Press release from City of Framingham.

FRAMINGHAM - The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project is planning to use a truck mounted aerosol sprayer to apply Zenivex E4 at a rate of 1 oz per acre in Framingham on Monday, August 14.

Yesterday, August 10, the Commonwealth announced that two pools of mosquitoes tested in Framingham this week were positive for West Nile Virus.

The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project sprayed in North and South Framingham neighborhoods earlier this month.

The spray area descriptions are intended to provide a general description for where mosquito spraying will take place, and may go beyond the streets listed below.

Spraying is scheduled on Monday for areas of Framingham that are located in the vicinity of Cherry Road, Cherry Street, Prospect Street, Indian Head Road, Brook Street, Raleigh Road, Claudette Circle, Cider Mill Road and Lowther Road.

The spraying will be done between sunset and 11:30 p.m.

If postponed, spraying will be rescheduled for the following week.

The mosquito control product being used is Zenivex E4 (EPA Reg No. 2724.807), and it’s being applied at 1 oz per acre. Zenivex E4 is a non-ester pyrethroid and is classified by the EPA as a reduced risk pesticide.

Mosquito control applications of Zenivex E4 do not pose a significant risk to people or their pets due to the low toxicity and the small amount used to control mosquitoes. As with any pesticide, people should minimize their exposure.

If residents see a spray truck approaching, they are advised to go indoors for a few minutes while the spray dissipates. Residents are also advised to close windows.

Beekeepers do not need to take any special precautions since spraying begins after dusk. Zenivex E4 biodegrades rapidly and doesn’t build up in the environment.

If residents have any questions related to mosquitoes or mosquito control, or want to inquire about opting out of the spraying, contact the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project at 781- 899-5730.

The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project was established in 1945 as a Trust Agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Project provides mosquito control services to 26 participating communities located west and northwest of Boston.

The governing body of the Project is the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Commission which is comprised of one representative from each municipal government. The Commission selects 5 of its members to serve on an Executive Committee, which meets on a regular basis.