Aerial Mosquito Larvae Treatment In Suffolk County Scheduled For June 14 - 16

Fire Island NY

15 June, 2022

3:09 AM

Description

Press release from the Suffolk County Government: June 13, 2022 The Suffolk County Department of Public Works' Division of Vector Control plans to treat parts of the marshes named below by helicopter to control mosquito larvae. Vector Control crews inspect marshlands that have historically produced large numbers of developing larval mosquitoes. If the crews locate mosquito larvae in sufficient numbers, aerial treatment of the sites may be necessary. Aerial application by helicopter allows vector control crews to treat large sections of marshlands while the larvae are still densely clustered in small treatable areas. Once mosquito larvae emerge as adults, they can fly considerable distances (miles) from the marshes and impact surrounding communities. To reduce the need for adult mosquito control over large swaths of residential neighborhoods, larval treatment is the most practical method to control mosquito populations. When the helicopter is actively spraying, it flies at a very low altitude of under 50 feet over the marsh and turns off the spray boom jets while making turns and while traveling between sites. All materials applied are registered for use by the US EPA and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and are used as directed per the product's label and as specified under our pesticide use permits. Time and date of the application: June 14 – June 16 from 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Should weather conditions prevent completion of the work, it will be continued on the next suitable day. Method of application: Low altitude helicopter, granular application Name of Pesticide: VectoPrime FG [Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) and Altosid (Methoprene)] EPA# 73049-501 Approximate location(s): Marshes that will be treated are marked "Yes" 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. 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. For current and future notices and/or further information: Suffolk County Division of Vector Control 631-852-4270 Suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/PublicWorks/VectorMosquitoControl Vector Control and Wetlands Management Long-Term Plan This press release was produced by the Suffolk County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.