What to Do When You See the Spray Truck

The Northeast Mass. Mosquito Control District will be , and as before residents are encouraged to head indoors, shut windows and turn off air-conditioners while the spray truck is in the immediate vicinity.

Spraying will occur between dusk and midnight.

So when is it safe to come out again and open the windows?

"As soon as the truck passes by, they are fine to turn on fans and air-conditioners," said Public Health Director Sharon Cameron. "The droplets settle out and dissipate very quickly; however, to be extra conservative they can wait 5 minutes before turning fans and A/Cs back on."

Cameron said the only recommendation from state health officials is to head inside to reduce exposure to insecticides -- the suggestion to close windows et al comes from the local health department as an extra precaution.

Cameron also said that as a member of the mosquito control district, Peabody's residents can actually request to have their property sprayed periodically by the agency.

Anyone interested in having their property sprayed should contact the Northeast Mass. Mosquito Control District directly at 978-463-6630.

Here's what the state Department of Public Health has to say about exposure to the insecticides (the information is taken from a FAQ guide posted on the MDPH website):

What kinds of precautions should I take when adulticide spraying is scheduled for my street?

• You can reduce your exposure to the insecticide by staying indoors during spraying. There are otherwise no special precautions that should be taken. The active ingredients of the pesticide product generally break down quickly and do not leave a toxic residue.

If individuals want to take extra steps to minimize or avoid exposure, what steps can be taken?

• Common sense steps that can be followed in areas where adulticide spraying is scheduled to take place include:
• People with asthma and/or other respiratory conditions may wish to stay indoors, since it is possible that if exposure to pesticide spray occurred, it could aggravate those conditions. These individuals may want to consult their physician or local health department for further advice.
• If the immediate area of your home is being sprayed, keep windows closed and fans off. Shut off air conditioners unless they have a setting for recirculating indoor air. If it is very hot weather, make sure you open the windows and/or turn fans and air conditioners back on soon after the truck passes your home.
• Rinse any homegrown fruits and vegetables with water as is typically done before cooking or eating them.
• Keep pets indoors during spraying to minimize their risk of exposure.
• If skin and/or clothes or other items are exposed to the sprayed pesticide, wash with soap and water.
• If the spray gets in your eyes, immediately rinse them with water or eye drops, and call your doctor.

You can find the entire FAQ here along with more information about West Nile Virus and insecticides.