WORCESTER—Don’t let the buzz catch you off guard. The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP) announces plans to return to Worcester throughout July, offering mosquito control services on five consecutive Tuesdays: July 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29.
According to a release from the city, CMMCP personnel may conduct pesticide spraying using truck-mounted equipment in limited areas, based on resident requests and subject to weather conditions and mosquito population thresholds. No aerial spraying is planned.
In addition to spraying, the CMMCP offers a variety of mosquito mitigation services, including ditch maintenance and abandoned swimming pool treatments. Service requests can be submitted through cmmcp.org, or by calling 508-393-3055 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The full 2025 spraying schedule and daily updates on areas selected for treatment will be available on the CMMCP website and phone line after 3:30 p.m. each day. The schedule may shift due to weather, virus activity, or special event spraying.
Worcester residents can opt out of wide-area pesticide applications by following instructions from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, found at mass.gov.
The city also notify specific neighborhoods in advance via email, text, and social media. Residents are encouraged to sign up or update their contact information through ALERTWorcester at worcesterma.gov/emergency-communications/alertworcester.
Safety tips & precautions
Residents in areas scheduled for spraying are advised to take several precautions:
- Close street-facing windows and turn off air conditioners that bring in outside air
- Keep pets indoors from sunset to midnight
- Remain inside during and shortly after application (15–20 minutes)
- Wash vegetables from home gardens before eating
The CMMCP notes that accidental exposure is unlikely to cause health concerns for most people or pets. However, those with chemical sensitivities should consult their physicians and take extra precautions.
Don’t let mosquitoes move in
To reduce the risk of bites and mosquito-borne illness, CMMCP encourages practicing the “5 Ds”:
- DRESS in long sleeves and pants.
- DEET: Use insect repellent per label instructions.
- DAWN & DUSK: Avoid outdoor activity during peak mosquito hours.
- DRAIN standing water weekly.
- DEFEND your space by repairing window screens and using permethrin-treated clothing.
For more information on the CMMCP’s Integrated Pest Management program, pesticide safety, or to view maps of spraying zones, visit cmmcp.org.
Have news, tips, or a story worth telling? Reach Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org—because good stories (and great scoops) deserve to be shared.
