Neighborhood mosquito spraying planned for Wednesday, July 3

Submitted by Bedford’s Board of Health and the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project

The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project will be controlling mosquitoes in neighborhoods of Bedford using truck mounted aerosol sprayers on Wednesday, July 3, between dusk and 11:30 PM.

Spraying is scheduled for neighborhoods located in the vicinity of Concord Road, Davis Road, Carlisle Road, North Road and Dudley Road.

The Project uses a spray formulation containing the pesticide, sumithrin, to control mosquitoes.  Sumithrin is a synthetic pyrethroid that is classified as slightly toxic by the EPA.

Mosquito control applications of sumithrin do not pose a significant risk to people or their pets due to the low toxicity of sumithrin and the small amount used to control mosquitoes.  As with any pesticide, people should minimize exposure.  If residents see a spray truck approaching, they are advised to go indoors for a couple of minutes while the spray dissipates.  Residents are also advised to close windows facing the street.  Beekeepers do not need to take any special precautions since spraying begins after dusk.

Information regarding the schedule and areas to be sprayed is available via a recorded message at 781-893-5759 and at the Project’s website at www.sudbury.ma.us/services/health/emmcp/.

If residents have any questions related to the spraying or any questions on mosquitoes, call the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project at 781-899-5730.

Editor’s Note: The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project was established in 1945 as a Trust Agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Project provides mosquito control services to 26 participating communities located west and northwest of Boston. The governing body of the Project is the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Commission which is comprised of one representative from each municipal governement. The Commission selects 5 of its members to serve on an Executive Committee, which meets on a regular basis. Funding is comprised entirely of voluntary appropriations that originate from the municipal budgets of the participating communities.