After finding positive larvae for both Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile virus, earlier in the season than is usual, according to Halifax Health Agent Cathleen Drinan, mosquito spraying is being conducted beginning yesterday, and continuing for several nights over Halifax and Plympton. She also notes that the mosquito population infected with both EEE and WNv are expected to grow.
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will conduct and monitor aerial spraying in specific areas of Bristol and Plymouth counties which is anticipated to have begun on Thursday, August 8, and continue over several evenings, weather permitting.
So far this year, 22 communities in southeastern Massachusetts have been found by the Department of Public Health (DPH) to be at high risk for the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus.
EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. No human cases of EEE have been detected so far this year.
The ability to spray is weather dependent and may change. Not every community in Bristol and Plymouth County will be sprayed, please see a comprehensive list below. MDAR is encouraging residents to visit DPH’s website http://www.mass.gov/guides/aerial-mosquito-control-summer-2019 for the latest updates on spraying in their specific communities.
• Communities entirely within the spray zone:
o Bristol County: Raynham, Taunton, Dighton, Berkley, Freetown, Acushnet
o Plymouth County: Halifax, Plympton, Kingston, Whitman, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Hanson, Bridgewater, Carver, Middleborough, Lakeville, Rochester
• Communities partially in the spray zone:
o Bristol County: Easton, Norton, Rehoboth, Swansea, Fall River, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven
o Plymouth County: Brockton, Rockland, Hanover, Pembroke, Duxbury, Plymouth, Wareham, Marion, Mattapoisett
For the most updated information on EEE risk and aerial spraying, contact the DPH Division of Epidemiology at http://www.mass.gov/guides/aerial-mosquito-control-summer-2019 for updated mosquito results, maps and incidence of positive mosquito samples and http://www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito for other information.
Please note that:
1) Spraying will occur over several evenings. That means that it is not known, as of yet, which communities will be sprayed on which days.
2) The spraying schedule is dependent on the weather and other factors.
The Town will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available.
The Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project continues to spray areas of Halifax. You can contact the Project at Office: (781) 585-5450 or Fax: (781) 582-1276. The office is located at 272 South Meadow Rd., Plymouth, MA 02360.
The Project is accepting requests for residential spraying. Requests are accepted via fax, phone, walk in or USPS. It recommends to fax, mail, or come in as they are serving all of Plymouth County and doing their best to answer your requests by phone.
Service requests should include name, address, town, phone, and email. You may request spraying up to 8 times during spray season and you need to contact us ALL 8 TIMES that you are requesting spraying. The office hours are 7:30 a.m-2:30 p.m Monday – Friday.
The product used for town-wide spraying is the same as used for routine requests. From the PCMCP website http://www.plymouthmosquito.org/pesticides.html – Duet-Dual Action Adulticide is a synergized synthetic pyrethroid consisting of 1% Prallethrin (ETOC), 5% Sumethrin, 5% Piperonyl Butoxide, and 89% other ingredients such as mineral oil. Duet’s EPA Reg. No. is 1021-1795-8329. The product breaks down quickly when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, residue on plants and other treated surfaces should be short-lived.
Plymouth County Mosquito Control applies this chemical using truck mounted ULV (Ultra Low Volume) sprayers. The Project uses an application rate of 0.62 fluid ounces per acre.
All spraying is between 2 a.m and sunrise. Please close street-facing windows if possible, to allow a more thorough application.
The spray machines are electric and very quiet – you may not hear the application. Please note the product will drift up to 300 feet.