Suffolk To Continue Mosquito Spraying At Fire Island Communities

DAVIS PARK, NY — Suffolk's Department of Public Works will begin treating sections of several Fire Island communities starting this week, as part of its annual efforts to control adult mosquitoes, officials said Monday.

The treatment will consist of ground spraying with the ultra-low volume aerosol Anvil, or sumithrin.

The following communities will be sprayed:

• Davis Park and Point O’Woods on Tuesday between 5:30 to 10 p.m.
• Ocean Bay Park, Ocean Beach, and Seaview on Wednesday from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
• Fire Island Pines, Water Island, Summer Club, and Atlantique on Thursday from 5:30 to 10 p.m.

Although chances of experiencing any health effects from spraying are quite low, these common sense steps will help reduce possible exposure to pesticides before, during or after spraying:

• Officials suggest that children and pregnant women should take care to avoid exposure when practical.
• Remain inside or avoid the area whenever spraying takes place and for about 30 minutes after spraying.
• Close windows and doors and close the vents of window air-conditioning units to circulate indoor air or, and before spraying begins, turn them off. Windows and air-conditioning vents can be reopened about 30 minutes after spraying.
• If you come in direct contact with pesticide spray, protect your eyes. If you get spray in your eyes, immediately rinse them with water. Wash exposed skin and clothes that come in direct contact with spray separately from other laundry.
• Consult your health care provider if you are experiencing health effects from spraying.
• The materials used by Vector Control do not leave significant residues on surfaces, but exposure can be reduced even further. So, pick homegrown fruits and vegetables you expect to eat soon before spraying takes place. Rinse homegrown produce thoroughly with water before cooking or eating. Bring laundry and small toys inside before spraying begins. (Wash with detergent and water if exposed to pesticides during spraying.) Bring pet food and water dishes inside, and cover ornamental fishponds during the spray period to avoid direct exposure.

County officials will spray additional communities for mosquitoes by helicopter on Wednesday.
Those communities include:

• Fireplace Neck
• Smith Point
• John's Neck Creek
• Mastic Beach
• Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge (pending)
• Roe Ave Avenue
• Abets Creek
• Lyman Marsh
• Captree State Park
• Gardner Park
• Admiralty/Isbrandtsen
• Scully
• Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge
• Heckscher State Park
• Pepperidge Hall
• Ludlows Creek
• West Oak Recreation
• Meadow Lane
• North Sea
• Cedar Point County Park
• Crescent Duck Farm

The products used by Vector Control are registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and are applied in accordance with the required state and federal permits, Suffolk officials said.

No precautions are recommended to prepare for the helicopter spraying, as it will be flying at a very low level over marsh areas and the pilot will be taking other precautions to control drift into inhabited areas, according to officials.

Human exposure from the operation is unlikely and the products involved have no significant human toxicity, officials said.

For further information:

• Suffolk County Division of Vector Control: 631-852-4270
• Spraying information hotline: 631-852-4939
• For spray notices click on: http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/HealthServices/PublicHealth/PreventiveServices/PesticideApplicationNotification.aspx
• If you are not sure that your land line phone is included in the SuffolkAlert system or to receive notifications via cell phone, text messaging or e-mail, contact: https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/FRES/Office-of-Emergency-Management/suffolkalert-notifications