Truck-Mounted Mosquito Spraying Coming To Wakefield

WAKEFIELD, MA — The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project will conduct truck-mounted mosquito spraying in Wakefield Wednesday, July 22 as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) return to Massachusetts. Spraying will be done between sunset and 11:30 p.m. in neighborhoods south of Rt. 128, east of Main Street, north of Water Street and west of Montrose Avenue.

If postponed, spraying will be rescheduled for the week beginning Monday, July 27, 2020.

East Middlesex uses a product called Anvil to control mosquitoes. Anvil contains the pesticide, sumithrin, which is a pyrethroid that is classified as slightly toxic 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," town officials said in a statement. "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. Beekeepers do not need to take any special precautions, since spraying begins after sunset."

If residents have any questions related to mosquitoes or mosquito control, contact the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project at 781-899-5730. View the EMMCP project site for schedule for information and updates.