Westerly Mosquito Spraying Delayed By Inclement Weather

WESTERLY, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management was unable to finish mosquito spraying on Monday night. Spraying in the final targeted zone has been rescheduled to Tuesday night after planes were unable to spray over the Southwest corner of the state due to fog.

On Tuesday morning, the department said that the plane passed over Zone 4, which covers parts of Westerly, Hopkinton and Charlestown, on Monday night but did not spray pesticides because of fog on the ground. Spraying in Zone 3, encompassing parts of Burrillville, Woonsocket and North Smithfield, was successfully completed on Monday night.

Tuesday evening's spraying is set to get underway at dusk and wrap up be 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Once again, it is weather permitting. According to Mike Healey, the chief public affairs officer at the DEM, spraying can only occur if the air is still and the temperature is 58 degrees or higher. Below that temperature, adult mosquitoes go dormant, and are less likely to be targeted by the spray.

While the pesticide, Anvil 10+10, is used in very low concentrations and is not believed to pose a risk to humans, the DEM encourages residents in the targeted zone to use caution during evening and overnight hours.

"While spraying is occurring, it is best to err on the side of caution and limit time outdoors and keep your windows closed," the department said in a statement.

On Monday, the Rhode Island Department of Health announced the death of a West Warwick man from Eastern Equine Encephalitis, the first fatal case of the mosquito-borne illness in the state since 2007. His diagnosis was announced on August 30, when his condition was listed as critical.