If There Are Helicopters Over Sudbury This Week, Here's Why

SUDBURY, MA — If you see a helicopter overhead this week, don't fret.

The town is on schedule for a spray to control mosquitoes, and mosquitoes are largely considered unlikable and unwelcome.

The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project will be applying by helicopter biological larvicide, Bti, to control mosquito larvae over large wetland areas of Sudbury, between April 19 and April 26.

Wetlands currently being evaluated for this application are located near Crescent La., Hayden Cir., Hudson Rd. opposite Craven La., Landham Rd., Maynard Rd., Meadowbrook Circle, Old Garrison Road, Pantry Brook, Powers Road, Raymond Road, Virginia Ridge, Wake Robin Road and Willis Pond.

The Bti will be applied in a granular formulation by a helicopter flying low directly over the wetlands. Residents do not need to take any special precautions for this application, said an announcement.

More information on Bti: The material to be applied Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis) is a natural bacterium found in soil. The EPA classifies Bti as a relatively non-toxic pesticide. Bti is considered a target selective and environmentally compatible pesticide that affects mosquito larvae and a few closely related aquatic insects in the fly family. Once applied Bti stays suspended in water for 24 to 48 hours and then biodegrades as it settles to the bottom.

For further information, contact the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project at 781- 899-5730.

If you would like to sign-up for email notifications when spraying is occurring in Sudbury, Click here.

Photo via Shutterstock