Truck-Mounted Mosquito Spraying Coming To Reading

READING, MA —The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project will conduct truck-mounted mosquito spraying in Reading Thursday, July 9 as Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) returns to Massachusetts. Spraying will be done between dusk and 11:30 p.m. in the area of Oak Street, Prospect Street, Randall Road, Margaret Road, Libby Avenue, Putnam Road, Eastway and Range Road.

If postponed, spraying will be rescheduled for the week beginning July 13, 2020.

East Middlesex uses a product called 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 exposure," town officials said in a statement. "If residents see a spray truck approaching, they are advised to go indoors for a couple of 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."

If residents have any questions related to mosquitoes or mosquito control, contact the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project at 781-899-5730. The spray schedule can be found at the Project website at http://sudbury.ma.us/emmcp/