For Immediate Release: 6/7/2024 2:51 pm
WORCESTER, Mass. – The City of Worcester is partnering with the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP) again in 2024 to reduce mosquito exposure to the public and the potential for disease transmission by mosquitoes, including West Nile Virus and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). CMMCP Personnel are tentatively planning to be in Worcester on June 11, 18, and 25 to respond to mosquito-related concerns from residents.
Requests for pesticide spraying in limited areas using truck-mounted equipment may be considered on those dates, but spraying will also be dependent on weather conditions and current mosquito thresholds. No aerial spraying is planned at this time.
In addition to mosquito spraying, the CMMCP offers a variety of services such as ditch maintenance and abandoned swimming pool treatment. Residents may access forms for all service requests on the CMMCP website at cmmcp.org, or they may call 508-393-3055, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Information about the products and Integrated Pest Management program used by the CMMCP is available at cmmcp.org/pesticide-information.
The CMMCP’s full 2024 spraying schedule is available at cmmcp.org/home/pages/2024-spray-schedules, and specific areas to be sprayed will be posted both on its website and phone system (508-393-3055) each day after 3:30 p.m. The scheduled dates and locations are subject to change due to weather conditions, mosquito populations, mosquito virus activity, and/or special event spraying. According the CMMCP, the mosquito control program will cease once cool nighttime temperatures become predominant in the area.
Residents may opt out of having their property sprayed during wide-area pesticide application by following instructions on the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources website: mass.gov/how-to/how-to-request-an-exclusion-or-opt-out-from-wide-area-pesticide-applications.
The City will also notify residents in specific areas and neighborhoods to be sprayed via email, social media, and text. Residents interested in receiving these alerts should ensure that they are registered for ALERTWorcester (worcesterma.gov/emergency-communications/alertworcester) with an up-to-date email and/or phone number. Additional alerts will be sent if cases of mosquito-borne illness are detected and necessitate emergency spraying.
Residents are advised to observe the following precautions if their area is being sprayed:
Accidental exposure is not expected to cause any health concerns in most people, although anyone who suffers from chemical sensitivities or feels that spraying may aggravate a preexisting health condition should consult their physician and take special measures to avoid exposure if necessary. Accidental exposure to pets should also not cause a problem since the pesticide being used is similar to ones used for flea and tick control.
To avoid mosquito bites and the diseases they can transmit, residents are encouraged to practice the “5 Ds:”
Clothing treated with insect repellent is also available, and permethrin—the repellent commonly used—can be applied to treat clothing manually. Installing and repairing screens will help to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
