Mosquito Spraying In Reading Thursday: See Where

READING, MA — A truck will apply a pesticide to several neighborhoods in Reading Thursday evening as part of routine East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project spraying.

Spraying will be done between dusk and 11:30 p.m. in the areas of Pearl Street, Charles Street, Haverhill Street and Libby Avenue. If postponed, spraying will be rescheduled for the following week.

The mosquito control product being used is Zenivex E4, applied at 1 oz per acre. Zenivex E4 is a non-ester pyrethroid and is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a reduced risk pesticide. Mosquito control applications of Zenivex E4 do not pose a significant risk to people or their pets due to the low toxicity and the small amount used to control mosquitoes.

However, as with any pesticide, people should minimize their exposure. If residents see a spray truck approaching, they are advised to go inside for a few minutes, close all windows and allow the spray to dissipate. Zenivex E4 biodegrades rapidly and does not build up in the environment.

Beekeepers do not need to take any special precautions, since spraying begins after dusk.

If residents have any questions related to mosquitoes or mosquito control, contact the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project at 781-899-5730. The spray schedule can be found at the Mosquito Control Project website.

State regulations allow residents to file for exclusion at any time during the year, which becomes effective 14 days from the receipt of the request. Exclusion requests can be made to the Massachusetts Dept. of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) either by first class mail or by filing electronically on the MDAR website.

Click here for the Pesticide Exclusion Form.