July schedule for mosquito spraying in Worcester area

Normally, the word drought doesn’t have the most positive of connotations, but for Worcester residents, it could be a hopeful indicator of a respite from the nemesis of outdoor summer activities — mosquitoes.

“Right now we’re at a slightly below average level as far as mosquito populations go,” said Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project Executive Director Timothy Deschamps. He said this could be due to the area being in the midst of a drought, recent rain events notwithstanding.

Aside from being a nuisance, certain species of mosquitoes also carry West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, at least eight of which can be found in Massachusetts, said Deschamps.

Sample testing

To track populations and potential disease carriers, the CMMCP places traps throughout member communities such as the city of Worcester, primarily near wetlands or in densely populated areas.

"Between 20 to 25 areas are monitored on a rotational basis every week," Deschamps explained. Samples are then sent to the lab to assess the possibility of a virus.

According to the state Department of Public Health, Worcester and the surrounding towns are classified as low risk for both diseases as of June 27, 2022. There have been no virus detections yet, said Deschamps, but if one is found, the CMMCP will coordinate with the Board of Health for further action.

The data from trap samples then informs the application of mosquito spray in an area. The CMMCP just released its current schedule for mosquito spraying throughout Worcester areas, so residents know when to keep themselves and their families indoors.

Sprayings are currently scheduled for July 6, 12, 19 and 26. The full schedule can be found on the CMMCP’s website but is subject to change depending on weather events, treatment requests, mosquito populations or virus isolations.

Keep windows closed

When your area is being sprayed, it is recommended to close street-facing windows and stay inside during and about 20 minutes after application. Pets should also be kept indoors between sunset and midnight and children kept away from truck-mounted applicators. However, brief accidental exposure in both pets and humans is not generally a cause for concern, according to the CMMCP.

Residents can take steps to protect themselves such as minimizing standing water collecting in open bins, buckets or toys, especially after rain, wearing long sleeves and pants during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk), and making liberal use of repellent.

Both requests for treatment as well as opting out of area wide applications can be done online.

For information, call (508) 281-6786 or email MosquitoProgram@mass.gov.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: July schedule for mosquito spraying in Worcester areas by Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project