Mosquito Spraying Underway in Town

The Board of Health and the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control met last Wednesday night and determined that it was time to spray for mosquitoes after numerous reports of people being swarmed during the day and night.

Kim Foss, an entomologist with NEMMC, said the salt marsh mosquito is a daytime biter, although in this species there is no concern for West Nile Virus. She noted that because of bees they can only spray after sunset and they choose to go even further, waiting an additional hour.

Spraying was done along Morton Street last Thursday night with the goal of   reducing the number of salt-marsh mosquitos along the marsh and to give residents relief from being swarmed.

“Residents reported some relief but it’s not clear if effect was compounded by the drop-in temperature and/or change of wind direction early last weekend,” said Board of Health member Dr. Astrid Weins.

The board is also looking at spraying in the Golden Drive area.

Additional traps were placed on Russell Street last week and on Lowell Street Monday night after resident complaints.

A Russell Street trap produced high numbers of salt-marsh mosquitos and very low (compared to same time in previous years) numbers of night time active mosquitos which can carry West Nile Virus (WNV). The mosquitos were sent out for testing, results expected later this week. Lowell Street trap produced only a single mosquito this morning, so no significant activity in that area at this time.

The statewide risk for WNV was raised to moderate on Aug. 21, but Winthrop has had no WNV positives in mosquitos to date, and overall no significant breeding anywhere in town.

Weins said that she would mention that NEMMC is doing extensive larviciding in town and that the virus carrying mosquitos are at an all-time low, also due to the MillerField project and Lewis Lake repair.

People are encouraged to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites, drain standing water, and towns are asked to increase surveillance.

Tips for fighting the mosquito:

• Use CDC/MDPH approved repellants and use accordingly.
• Wear light-colored clothing with long sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Avoid being outdoors and limit propane use during peak mosquito activity from dusk to dawn.
• Get rid of any standing water, gutters, puddles, potted plants, bird baths, old tires, leaky faucets, toys, etc.

Mosquitos fly until the first heavy frost and peak between August and October.

For more information go to www.nemassmosquito.org