Rain forced the city’s Health Department to delay scheduled pesticide spraying in Maspeth and Middle Village last week, so the work will take place on Monday night, Sept. 17.
The city’s Health Department announced it will spray the two Queens neighborhoods beginning at 8:30 p.m. this Monday and continuing until 6 a.m. the following morning. (In the unlikely event of inclement weather, the spraying will be postponed to occur the following day, Tuesday, Sept. 18, during the same hours.)
It’s the 11th time this summer that the Health Department has conducted mosquito spraying operations in the five boroughs as it seeks to eradicate mosquitoes that may carry the potentially deadly West Nile virus. Most of Maspeth and Middle Village were sprayed back in August.
During this round of spraying, trucks will be dispensing a low concentration of Anvil 10+10 into the air. While there are no serious health risks posed to humans or pets, exposure to the pesticide may cause a rash or short-term eye or throat irritation.
The spray zone, which includes slivers of Elmhurst and Rego Park, is generally bounded on the north by Flushing Avenue, Grand Avenue and the Long Island Expressway; on the east by Woodhaven Boulevard, on the south by Cooper Avenue and the Long Island Rail Road’s Montauk branch; and on the west by Fresh Pond Road.
While spraying is underway, the Health Department advises residents to stay indoors and keep the windows closed. You can run an air conditioner, but either with the vents closed or utilizing the recirculate function to reduce the risks of indoor exposure.
Anything left outside during the spraying should be thoroughly washed with soap and water before reuse. If you happen to be outside when the spraying happens, wash all exposed skin and clothes.
For more information, call 311 or visit nyc.gov/health/wnv.
Do your part to protect yourselves against mosquitoes. Remember to drain any standing water on your property and, when outside, to use an approved insect repellant containing DEET, picardin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (except for children 3 years of age and under) or the active ingredient IR3535. Keep all swimming pools chlorinated, or covered when not in use.
This story was updated on Sept. 16 at 9:20 a.m.
