Mosquito Sprayers in Reading Tuesday

The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project is planning to use truck mounted ULV sprayers in Reading on Tuesday, July 3rd between dusk and 11:30 p.m.

Spraying is scheduled for neighborhoods that are located in the vicinity of Salem Street, Charles Street, Pearl Street, Haverhill Street, Sanborne Lane, Franklin Street, Van Norden Road, Forest Street, Grove Street, High Sreet and Lowell Street. Spraying will also be done near West Street between Winslow Road and the border with Wilmington and by Summer Avenue between King Street and Willow Street. If spraying is postponed, it will be rescheduled for Thursday, July 5.

The Project uses a spray formulation containing the pesticide, sumithrin, to control mosquitoes. Sumithrin is a synthetic pyrethroid that is classified as a slightly toxicpesticide 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. 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.