Mosquito Spraying Scheduled for Monday in North Reading

The summer season brings with it many things, including mosquitoes and mosquito spraying.

The town of North Reading announced the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project will be spraying for mosquitoes around the town. The spraying will use truck mounted aerosol sprayers in North Reading on Monday, June 22, between dusk and 11:30 p.m., according to the town.

Areas to be sprayed are located between Haverhill Street and the border with Wilmington. If spraying is postponed, it will be re-scheduled for Tuesday night, the town said.

The formula that will be sprayed contains the pesticide sumithrin.

“Sumithrin is a synthetic pyrethroid that is classified as a slightly toxic pesticide by the EPA,” according to a post on the town website. “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.”

Despite the low toxicity and low risk to people or their pets, town officials still advise residents to minimize their exposure to the spray. If residents see a spray truck approaching, they are advised to go indoors for a few minutes until the spray dissipates and close windows facing the street.

Beekeepers do not need to take special precautions as the spraying will begin after dusk.

Information on the spray schedule is available via a recorded message at 781-893-5759 and at the Project web site.

Questions related to spraying or questions on mosquitoes can be answered by calling the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project at 781- 899-5730.