The city’s Health Department will treat parts of Queens over several days this week to help reduce the mosquito population and the risk of West Nile virus.
Though no human cases of the virus have been reported this season, high mosquito populations have been found in the marsh areas of the city, which could increase due to the hot weather and wet conditions.
The treatment, which will involve the application of larvicide from low-flying helicopters, will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 5, Thursday, Aug. 6, and Friday, Aug. 7, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. In case of bad weather, the application will be delayed until Thursday, Aug. 6, Friday, Aug. 7, and Monday, Aug. 10, during the same hours, and could also be completed in less time than allotted.
For this application, the Health Department will use larvicides containing naturally occurring bacteria — VectoBac GS, VectoMax FG and/or VectoLex FGG. The products are all approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Locations:
Alley Pond Park (Marsh areas inside Alley Pond Park)
Linden Hill and College Point (Marsh areas bounded by Whitestone Expressway to the east; 20th Avenue to the north; 130th Street and Ulmer Street to the west; and Ulmer Street and 28th Avenue to the south)
Edgemere and Somerville (Marsh areas bounded by Norton Basin to the east; Mott Point to the north; Grass Hassock Channel to the west; and Beach 65th Street, De Costa Avenue and Almeda Avenue to the south)
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