Mosquito Spraying Part of Larger Action

Spraying for mosquitoes is just one of the steps in fighting the threat of West Nile Virus, according to officials at the the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project.

“Treating wetlands for mosquito larvae is a program we do in the city,” said Tim Deschamps, the executive director of CMMCP. “It is considered more of a pre-emptive part of the program."

Treating waste water basins is also a part of the attack on the 15 species of mosquitoes that carry the virus. With 51 species of mosquitoes in the commonwealth, trapping, identifying and testing specific species is a key part of the strategy for combatting the virus, said Deschamps.

“It does matter what species," he said.

The West Nile Virus, along with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus, is transmitted to mosquitoes by the bird population. This is why the virus will move through areas as a high number of infected birds come through, said Deschamps.

“That is when we start to see it in the people population," he said of the virus' move to mosquitoes.

At that point, the answer becomes the spraying which CMMCP will be doing in . The spraying will knock down the mosquito population for a few days to a week. The organization will continue to trap mosquitoes in the area and test for the virus, said Deschamps.

Here are the Center for Disease Control's top tips for avoiding West Nile virus.

• Use insect repellents that contain an EPA-registered active ingredient whenever you’re outdoors.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors at dawn and dusk, or consider staying indoors during those times, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Remove the standing water that allows mosquitoes to breed. That includes small pools of water in unlikely places such as flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly.
• Drill holes in tire swings so that water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they’re not being used.

Residents may notify CMMCP of their concerns and requests for spraying at 508-393-3055 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or by visiting the organization's website.