Aerial Spraying for Mosquitoes

The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project is set to utilize helicopter spraying to combat mosquito larvae in wetland areas of Wayland, Massachusetts. The project will employ the biological larvicide Bti, containing bacteria that target and kill mosquito larvae while being relatively non-toxic to other organisms. Scheduled between April 16 and April 24, the spraying aims to reduce mosquito populations and mitigate the risks of mosquito-borne illnesses in the region.

Residents are assured that the treatment poses minimal risk, and no special precautions are necessary. While traditional pesticide spraying methods are often employed by municipal governments, concerns over their effectiveness, environmental impact, and potential health risks, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, have prompted alternative approaches to mosquito control.

Residents have the option to request exclusion from wide-area pesticide applications through the Department of Agriculture, though emergency spraying may still occur in public health hazard situations. Excluded properties should be clearly marked, and residents can expect to be notified if spraying takes place. Requesting exclusion provides a means for residents to voice their concerns and protest against potentially harmful pesticide spraying practices.