Community Corner

County to Begin West Nile Spraying

Aerial spraying to begin Wednesday and Thursday.

Following a report that 30 of Nassau County's 42 mosquito pools tested positive for insects carrying the West Nile Virus, aerial spraying efforts will begin Wednesday and Thursday to help control the mosquito population and stave off any human infections. To date there has been only one confirmed human case of West Nile virus in New Hyde Park.

According to Nassau County Health Department spokesperson Mary Ellen Laurain, there are currently 42 mosquito traps throughout the County; the department does not however reveal exact locations for fear of public tampering. Mosquito surveillance will continue at those 42 sites and will be intensified in communities where positive mosquito pools have been identified.

Weather permitting, areial spraying will begin on Wednesday, August 11 at 7 p.m. and end at 5 a.m. on Thursday morning. Spraying on Thursday August 12 will also begin at 7 p.m. and end at 5 a.m. on Friday morning. Spraying may also continue next week.

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The area to be sprayed by plane is as follows:

  • Northern boundary: Northern Boulevard (Rt. 25A) from the Queens line to Cedar Swamp Road (Rt. 107). From Cedar Swamp Road south of Northern Boulevard (25A) to Jericho Turnpike (Rt. 25). Jericho Turnpike (Rt. 25) to the Suffolk County line.
  • Southern boundary: North of Sunrise Highway from the Queens border to the Wantagh State Parkway, excluding those areas previously addressed by ground spraying, and north of the Southern State Parkway from the Wantagh Parkway to the Suffolk County line.
  • Eastern boundary: Suffolk County line.
  • Western boundary: Queens line.

Areas to be sprayed by truck include: sections of Plandome, Plandome Manor, Plandome Heights, Manhasset, Munsey Park, Flower Hill, Port Washington and Sands Point on Tuesday, Aug. 10, beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at 5 a.m

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Alternate dates include Wednesday, Thursday or Monday, Aug. 11, 12 or 16, beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at 5 a.m.

Sections of Massapequa Park and East Massapequa, sections of Glen Cove, Sea Cliff, Glenwood Landing, Glen Head and Old Brookville are scheduled to be sprayed Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at 5 a.m. Alternate dates include Thursday, Monday or Tuesday, Aug. 12, 16 or 17.

The Scourge pesticide being used contains resmethrin and piperonyl butoxide.   Resmethrin is a man-made pyrethroid insecticide that can also be found in other pesticide products used indoors and on pets to control ticks and other insects, such as fleas and ants. Piperonyl butoxide does not directly kill insects on its own, but acts to increase the ability of resmethrin to kill insects. These active ingredients are dissolved in a petroleum solvent.

Residents are advised to keep windows and doors shut, setting their air conditioners to a recrculate setting, as well as bringing all children's toys, pets, their food, water dishes and toys inside and to cover all fishponds and birdbaths during the spray period. Since the effects of the aerial and ground spraying dissipate in a few hours, it is not necessary to wash off outdoor furniture or playground equipment before use, although doing so will not diminish the effectiveness of the pesticide applied.

For mosquito, stagnant water or drainage problems, call the Nassau County Department of Public Works at 516-572-1166 weekdays from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For additional information, please call the West Nile Virus Spray Hotline at 1-888-844-8657 or visit the Nassau County Department of Health website at www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/health.


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