Helicopter to Be Used in Mosquito Spraying Over Bedford

If you see a low flying helicopter over Bedford in the coming days, there is no need to duck and cover, it's simply spraying materials to control mosquito larvae over wetland areas in town, according to the Bedford Board of Health.  

The helicopter applications, part of the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project, will take place between April 17 and April 25 over the wetland areas near Davis Road, Carlisle Road, South Road and the Spring Brook area. 

The material to be sprayed is the biological larvicide bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, or Bti, according to the Board of Health.

Residents do not need to take any precautions prior to the application of the pesticide, according to the Board of Health. 

Bti, a natural bacterium found in soil, is a "relatively non-toxic pesticide," and is a target selective and environmentally friendly pesticide, according to the Board of Health. 

The benefit of Bti is that it targets mosquito larvae and several other related aquatic insects in the fly family, stays suspended in water for 24 to 48 hours after it is sprayed, and then rapidly biodegrades as it settles to the bottom, according to the Board of Health. 

For further information contact the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project at 781-899-5730.