Aerial Application Of Mosquito Larvae Control In Weston

Press release from the Town of Weston:

April 17, 2020

The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project will be conducting a helicopter application of the biological larvicide, Bti, to control mosquito larvae over large wetland areas of Weston. Wetlands currently being evaluated for this application are located between Wellesley Street, Winter Street, and the Massachusetts Turnpike adjacent to Nonesuch Pond, and areas within the Town Forest by Concord Road. The application will take place between April 21 and April 29.

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. 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. The product name of the Bti is VectoBac GS (EPA Reg. #73049-10).

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

East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project

This press release was produced by the Town of Weston. The views expressed here are the author’s own.