East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project to Begin Wednesday

The Town of North Reading posted the following information on mosquito spraying in town:

The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project is planning to use truck mounted aerosol sprayers in North Reading on Wednesday, July 27th between dusk and 11:30 PM. Spraying is scheduled for neighborhoods located between Main St. and the border with Wilmington. Spraying will also be done on streets in the vicinity of Pluff Ave., Pomeroy Rd., Francis St., Winter St. and Damon St. If spraying is postponed, it will be rescheduled for Thursday, July 28th.

The Project uses a spray formulation containing the pesticide, sumithrin, to control mosquitoes. Sumithrin is a synthetic pyrethroid that is classified as a slightly toxic pesticide by the EPA. Mosquito control applications of sumithrin do not pose a significant risk to people or their pets due to the low toxicity of sumithrin and the small amount used to control mosquitoes.

As with any pesticide, people should minimize exposure. If residents see a spray truck approaching, they are advised to go indoors for a couple of minutes while the spray dissipates. Residents are also advised to close windows facing the street. Beekeepers do not need to take any special precautions since spraying begins after dusk.