Additional Mosquito Spraying: 

• Truck-mounted spraying Tuesday, Sept. 17th

• Residents urged to continue to protect themselves against mosquito bites

East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project (EMMCP) will be conducting a round of truck-mounted spraying on Tuesday, September 17th (postpone date is Sept. 19). The spraying will be conducted in the neighborhoods north of Boston Post Road, including Merriam Street, Conant Road, Church Street, Kings Grant Road, Montvale Road, Lexington Street, and Rolling Lane. 

EMMCP uses a spray formulation containing the pesticide product 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.  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 dusk.

Additional information, including product information is available on the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project's website: sudbury.ma.us/emmmcp.

Residents are urged to continue to protect themselves against mosquito bites, as mosquito breeding continues until the first hard frost. Protection measures can be found below. Mosquito spraying is conducted to reduce human risk but it does not eliminate it. More information on EEE can be found below.

Information on the Department of Public Health Website

The state Department of Health maintains the latest information on EEE in Massachusetts on its website. Here, residents can find information on:

• The risk of EEE
• September 2019 aerial spraying information
• Recommended cancellation times for outdoor activities in high risk areas
• Frequently asked questions about mosquito control
• Printable fact sheets

Protect Yourself Against Mosquito Bites

Currently, there are 36 communities now at critical risk, 42 at high risk, and 115 at moderate risk for the EEE virus in Massachusetts. A map of the state’s current EEE risk levels is available online. EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages.

People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes:

• Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors: Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient (DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
  
  
• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours, as well as Wooded and Wetland Areas: The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk. Also take precautions when in the woods or other shaded areas.
  
  
• Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites: Wear long-sleeves, long pants,  socks, and closed-toed shoes when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin. 
  
  
• Mosquito-Proof Your Home - Drain Standing Water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Take a look outside your home for items that hold water and drain them. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots, buckets, and wading pools - especially after a rain - and change the water in birdbaths frequently
  
  
• Install or Repair Screens: Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
  
  
• Protect Your Animals: Water troughs should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to DAR, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and to the Department of Public Health (DPH) by calling 617-983-6800.