Mosquito Spraying To Start In Framingham

FRAMINGHAM, MA — A week after the city announced West Nile Virus was found in local mosquitoes, Framingham is planning mosquito spraying in some parts of the city. The spraying is scheduled for Monday and will be done by an East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project truck.

The truck mounted aerosol sprayer will apply Sumithrin in Framingham on Monday between dusk and 11:30 p.m. Neighborhoods south of Waverly Street near Fay Road, Bethany Road, Winthrop Street, Hollis Street, Irving Street and Jodie Road will be sprayed, making them section one as well as neighborhoods in the vicinity of Rolling Drive, Foxhill Road, Grove Street, Woodmere Road and Nancy Lane, making them section two.

If spraying is postponed, section one will be rescheduled for Tuesday, August 13 and section two will be rescheduled for Wednesday, August 14.

The Project uses a spray formulation that contains the pesticide product, Anvil, to control mosquitoes. Anvil contains the pesticide, sumithrin, which is a pyrethroid that is classified as slightly toxic by the EPA. Mosquito control applications of sumithrin do not pose a significant risk to people or their pets due to the low toxicity of sumithrin 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.

Last week the city announced West Nile virus was confirmed in mosquitoes from Framingham. This is the first positive detection of the virus in the city this year. In 2018, Framingham had seven West Nile Virus positive mosquito samples identified.

Framingham officials said for this round, 22 traps were tested. Each trap can contain tens to hundreds of dead mosquitoes — of those traps tested, four contained dead mosquitos with West Nile Virus. It is unclear exactly how many mosquitoes tested positive for the virus.

The virus spreads through mosquito bites and can affect people of all ages, though people over 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.