Mosquito Spraying To Begin Soon In Boston

From the Boston Public Health Commission: The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) would like to advise residents and community members in Hyde Park and West Roxbury of upcoming sprayings to help control mosquito populations in selected neighborhood areas. BPHC partners with the Suffolk County Mosquito Control Project (SCMCP) to protect Boston residents from mosquito-borne disease transmission.

SCMCP will be conducting a helicopter application of the biological larvicide, Bti, to control mosquito larvae over large wetlands.

• Wetlands currently being evaluated include the Fowl Meadow area of Hyde Park, the Hancock Woods area near VFW Parkway and Corey Street and wetlands near Millennium Park in West Roxbury.
• The application will be conducted between April 22 and April 26.
• The larvicide 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. Mosquito species have different breeding habits, but most want to lay their eggs near water – usually in vegetation or in still water. To help prevent mosquitoes from breeding, BPHC advises residents to limit places around the home where standing water can collect. People should turn over unused flower pots, buckets, wheelbarrows and garbage cans; remove leaves and other debris that can clog gutters and trap water; dispose of or cover old tires; and cover swimming pools when not in use.

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