New Bedford’s Mosquito Spraying Program to Start Thursday

NEW BEDFORD — Summer's almost here, and with it comes the annual mosquito tracking and spraying program.

The Mayor's office announced that ground spraying for mosquito control will take place every Thursday morning this summer starting tomorrow.

The New Bedford Health Department will also once again be monitoring mosquito populations for Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus in conjunction with the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project and the state's Department of Public Health.

The tracking program involves placing traps to collect samples of the local mosquito population throughout the summer months.

The Mosquito Control Project will also target key areas in the city for ground spraying, including public parks and spaces that host large public events, according to a press release from the city.

Get our free mobile app

Spraying will be conducted every Thursday morning between 2 a.m. and sunrise, starting June 17 and continuing through late September.

Target areas include Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Taber, Hazelwood Park, Riverside Park, Clasky Common Park, Ashley Park, the Poor Farm area, Custom House Square, and the downtown area.

In case of rain or inclement weather, spraying will take place early Friday mornings.

The Mayor's office advises that residents in the vicinity of spraying may want to close their windows in the evening before spraying begins.

To avoid contracting EEE, West Nile, or Zika from mosquito bites, residents can take the following steps:

• Be aware of their peak hours from dusk to dawn, and consider rescheduling outdoor morning or evening events
• Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks outdoors
• Apply bug repellent with DEET, permethrin (on clothing only), picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus when outside
• Mosquito-proof your home by installing screens and draining standing water, including in rain gutters, drains, birdbaths, and wading pools.