Suffolk County plans aerial larvicide applications tomorrow and Wednesday in multiple salt marshes across Suffolk County, including locations in Riverhead, Aquebogue and Flanders.
The routine application to control mosquito larvae comes right after the county announced the first mosquito sample to test positive for West Nile virus this year. The county health department said Friday afternoon a sample collected June 30 in Northport tested positive for the virus, which has been present in Suffolk County every year since first detected in 1999. The virus is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.
The county DPW vector control division will conduct low altitude, large droplet liquid application of Vectobac 12AS. The application will take place sometime between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. on July 12 and 13, according to a press release issued by the county health department today. Should weather conditions prevent completion of the work, it will be continued on the next suitable day, according to the release.
Salt marshes in the following locations in Riverhead, Aquebogue and Flanders will be treated: Iron Point in Flanders; Indian Island and Pier Avenue in Riverhead; and Millar Farm, Overlook and Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue.
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, the county health department said.
No precautions are recommended to prepare for this spraying, as the helicopter will be flying at a very low level over marsh areas and taking other precautions to control drift into inhabited areas. Human exposure from this operation is unlikely and the products involved have no significant human toxicity.
To reduce the mosquito populations around homes, residents should try to eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes breed:
- Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers.
- Remove all discarded tires on the property.
- Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters.
- Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
- Change the water in birdbaths.
- Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds and keep shrubs and grass trimmed.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.
- Drain water from pool covers.
For a full list of locations throughout Suffolk scheduled to be sprayed this week, visit the health department’s website.
For current and future notices and/or further information: Suffolk County Division of Vector Control 631-852-4270.
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