Astoria To Be Sprayed With Pesticides, And You Might Feel The Itch

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Dozens of Astoria blocks will be sprayed with pesticides this week as the city contends with a surge in mosquito-borne West Nile virus, the Department of Health said.

A swath of Astoria east of 31st Street and above Northern Boulevard will be sprayed starting around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, continuing through 6 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to the city.

Tuesday's spraying will also cover parts of Woodside, Sunnyside Gardens and Astoria Heights, according to the department. Separately, chunks of the Bronx and Southeast Queens will be sprayed with the same pesticides this week, while much of Upper Manhattan received the treatment last week.

Any risks to people and pets are low, since the spraying will only involve "very low concentrations" of pesticides, the city says. Still, some people sensitive to the spray ingredients might have brief rashes or irritation to the eye or throat, and those with respiratory conditions might also be affected, the city says.

To stay safe, the city recommends staying indoors and closing air conditioner vents, though ACs can stay on. Anyone exposed to the spray can wash their skin and clothing with soap and water.

Last month, the Health Department revealed that two New Yorkers had been sickened with West Nile this year, while 1,068 mosquitoes had been found carrying the virus so far in 2022 — the highest number on record.

Still, some advocates oppose the practice. The No Spray Coalition, active since the city's anti-mosquito program began in 1999, released a statement last week suggesting that the chemicals could harm ecosystems in Central Park.

The pesticides being used include the product Anvil, which includes components that can disrupt animals' endocrine systems, according to the state health department. The substance is also toxic to some insects and fish.

Reached for comment, a city health department spokesperson reiterated that the pesticides' risks were low to humans and pets, and noted that West Nile virus "can cause very severe illness."

Symptoms of West Nile include headache, fever, muscle aches and extreme fatigue, the city said. Some cases can be fatal, especially for older patients, while others can cause no symptoms at all.

To do your part to stem the mosquito tide, the city says New Yorkers' best option is to eliminate any standing water from their properties. Making sure windows have screens and buying an EPA-approved insect repellent are other useful steps.

In Queens, the ZIP codes being sprayed Tuesday include parts of 11101, 11103, 11105, 11370, and 11377. The Astoria territory is bounded by the East River to the north, then runs south along 31st Street before turning to follow the Amtrak rail line until it hits Steinway Street. The western boundary continues along Steinway until Northern Boulevard, while the east boundary runs along Hazen Street, 75th Street, and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

Related coverage: West Nile Virus Breaks Record In NYC Mosquitoes, 2 People Infected