Second Round of West Nile Virus Spraying Scheduled for Aug. 15

Nassau County trucks will be back in Malverne, West Hempstead, Lynbrook and surrounding areas Wednesday night for a second round of West Nile Virus mosquito treatment.

Based on the current mosquito trap data and consistent with the 2012 Nassau County Mosquito Control Plan, the Nassau County Department of Public Works have recommended that localized truck treatment of adulticide continue at targeted areas. This recommendation is based on the persistence presence of West Nile virus, and mosquito activity at these locations.

From 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Aug. 15, weather permitting, the trucks will be applying the pesticide, which targets adult mosquitos, in sections of Lynbrook, North Lynbrook, Malverne, Malverne Oaks, and West Hempstead, as well as Bellrose, Bellrose Terrace, Elmont Floral Park, Franklin Square, Garden City, Garden City South, New Hyde Park, North New Hyde Park, Stewart Manor, South Floral Park, Valley Stream and North Valley Stream.

The application will be conducted and bounded by the following geographical area: 

• Jericho Turnpike on the North
• Elmont Road on Dutch Broadway to Franklin Avenue on the South
• Nassau Boulevard to Hempstead Avenue on the East
• Queens County line to the West

The trucks will be using Scourge, a pesticide containing resmethrin and piperonyl butoxide. (Resmethrin is a man-made pyrethroid insecticide that can also be found in other pesticide products used indoors and on pets to control ticks and other insects, such as fleas and ants. Piperonyl butoxide does not directly kill insects on its own, but acts to increase the ability of resmethrin to kill insects. These active ingredients are dissolved in a petroleum solvent.)

The chance of experiencing any health effects from the use of Scourge to control mosquitoes is quite low. As with any pesticide, individuals may want to reduce or eliminate exposure. The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) do not require relocating or taking special precautions during mosquito control treatment. Individuals, especially pregnant women and children, should remain inside during the treatment and for about 30 minutes afterwards. In addition, individuals may minimize exposure by:

• Keeping windows and doors shut, setting air conditioners to re-circulate if able. Turn window fans off.
• Keeping children's toys indoors.
• Keeping pets indoors, as well as their food, water dishes and toys.
• Covering fishponds during the spray period.

Since the effects of the ground treatment dissipate in a few hours, it is not necessary to wash off outdoor furniture or playground equipment before use, although doing so will not diminish the effectiveness of the pesticide applied.

For additional information, call the West Nile Virus Treatment Hotline at 1-888-844-8657 on the days that treatment is scheduled between the hours of 9:00 AM through Midnight. You may also visit the Nassau County Department of Health Web site.