City To Douse Bayside With Mosquito Repellant

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — The city is dousing Bayside in insect repellent next week in its annual attempt to combat mosquitos and West Nile virus amid this year's itchiest season.

The health department will send mosquito-killing pesticide trucks to a large swath of Bayside between 8:30 p.m. Tuesday July 26 and 6 a.m. Wednesday July 27, weather permitting.

Armed with Anvil® 10+10, Duet® or MERUS® 3 — insect-killing chemicals — the trucks will drive along Bayside and Bay Terrace streets bordered by 39th Avenue, the Cross Island Parkway and Francis Lewis Boulevard (map below).

The bug-killing chemicals are "low risk" for people and pets, causing — at worst — eye and or throat irritation in people who are sensitive to spray ingredients or have respiratory conditions, according to the health department.

Officials said that any discomfort from the spraying is temporary and should dissipate within a short period of time — unlike the effects of some mosquito-borne diseases, like West Nile Virus, which can be fatal.

Although no one has gotten the virus yet this season, according to the health department, New York City records cases of West Nile Virus almost every year, since it's one of the most mosquito-blighted parts of the United States.

Cases of the virus in mosquitos hit record highs last year, which the Department of Health attributed to an increase in "heavy rains" — a trend that experts say we can expect to continue seeing amid increasingly severe, climate change-induced weather changes.

To prevent mosquito bites, the Centers for Disease Control suggests using insect repellent that contain DEET, picaridin, ir3535, lemon eucalyptus oil, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone.

Other options include wearing long sleeves and pants, using air-conditioning or window and door screens, and replacing containers of standing water — including vases and pet bowls— weekly, since that's where the insects breed.

In order to stay safe during next week's chemical spraying, health officials recommend staying inside and turning on air conditioners.

If you end up being outside during the spraying, you should wash skin, clothing, fruits and vegetables that were exposed to the chemicals with soap and water, health officials recommend.

Here's where the mosquito-killing pesticide trucks are coming in Bayside: