The city’s war on mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus continues locally on Wednesday night, Aug. 26, as the Health Department will spray pesticide across parts of Forest Hills, Forest Park, Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village and Rego Park.
Weather permitting, according to a DOH announcement, the spraying will take place beginning at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday night and continuing until 6 a.m. the following morning. In the event of inclement weather, the spraying will occur on Thursday night, Aug. 28, during the same hours.
The spraying area is generally bounded by the Long Island Expressway, 80th Street and 63rd Avenue on the north; Alderton Street and Metropolitan Avenue on the east; Park Lane South on the south; and the eastern boundary of Mount Olivet, Mount Lebanon and Mount Hope cemeteries, Metropolitan Avenue, 73rd Place and Myrtle Avenue on the west.
Mobile crews will spray the synthetic pesticide Anvil 10+10 around the area to kill mosquitoes which may carry the West Nile virus, a potentially deadly illness among persons who are elderly, young or have compromised immune systems and is spread through bites from the infected bugs.
Residents in the spraying area—especially those with asthma or other respiratory ailments—are encouraged to stay indoors during spraying hours. The Health Department also advised residents to follow these safety tips:
• Air conditioners should be used with the vents closed to prevent possible indoor exposure to the pesticide.
• Children’s toys, outdoor equipment and clothes should be brought inside during spraying. Anything left out during spraying should be thoroughly washed with soap and water before reuse.
• Any skin or clothing exposed to the pesticide should be washed with soap or water. Always wash any produce with water before consumption.
For more information, call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/health.
