Summer may be winding down, but Worcester’s mosquitoes apparently have not received the memo.
The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project is tentatively scheduled to be in the city on five dates in September to respond to residents’ mosquito concerns, with limited truck-mounted pesticide spraying possible where conditions warrant it, the city announced Tuesday.
Crews are expected in Worcester on Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Spraying is not automatic and depends on weather, mosquito populations and whether mosquito counts meet established thresholds, according to the city’s announcement. No aerial spraying is currently planned.
Residents who are experiencing mosquito problems may request service through the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project. In addition to spraying, the agency provides services including treatment of abandoned swimming pools and maintenance of ditches where standing water can create mosquito breeding grounds.
Requests can be submitted through the CMMCP website or by calling 508-393-3055 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Specific neighborhoods and areas scheduled for spraying will be posted on the mosquito control project’s website and available through its phone system after 3:30 p.m. on the day of treatment. The schedule can change because of weather, mosquito populations, detection of mosquito-borne viruses or the need for special spraying, according to the announcement.
The city will also send notifications by email, text and social media when particular Worcester neighborhoods are scheduled for treatment. Residents who want direct notifications are encouraged to register for ALERTWorcester and make sure their phone number and email address are current.
Additional alerts would be issued if mosquito-borne illness is detected at levels requiring emergency spraying, the city said.
Residents whose neighborhoods are scheduled for treatment are advised to close windows facing the street and turn off air-conditioning settings that draw in outside air. Pets should be kept indoors between sunset and midnight, and residents should remain inside during spraying and for 15 to 20 minutes afterward.
The city also recommends washing vegetables from home gardens before eating them following pesticide application. According to the announcement, accidental exposure is not expected to pose health concerns for most people, although those with chemical sensitivities or health conditions that could be aggravated by spraying should consult a physician and take additional precautions.
Property owners who do not want their property treated during wide-area pesticide applications may request an exclusion through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
Even without spraying, residents can make their yards less welcoming to mosquitoes by regularly emptying containers that collect rainwater and eliminating other sources of standing water. The city also recommends using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants when practical and taking extra precautions around dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes tend to be most active.
CMMCP continues mosquito-control operations until cooler nighttime temperatures become predominant, according to the announcement.
