Mosquito Spraying to Start Monday

Crews will be out in parts of Marlborough late Monday spraying for mosquitoes following the confirmation late last week that insects collected in Sudbury had tested positive for the Easter Equine Encephalitis virus. 

Spraying will begin after 8 p.m. in the northeast corner of the city, in the area between Hudson and Sudbury. The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project will be applying the pesticide sumithrin, which has been used in the past by the agency when residents request backyard spraying.

Follow up spraying may be done if necessary.

“This is confirmation that the EEE virus is present in town, and residents must do everything possible to avoid mosquito bites”  CMMCP Executive Directo Timothy Deschamps said in a statement. “EEE is a serious virus, and residents must do everything possible to avoid exposure to mosquitoes."

Residents are also asked to take steps to reduce mosquito breeding areas and to take extra precautions against mosquito bites. 

The CMMPC's recommends: 

- Avoid being outside during peak mosquito hours of dusk to dawn. 

- Wearing long pants and long-sleeved sleeve shirts

- Using an insect repellent that contains DEET 

- Draining standing water in yards 

- installing or repairing window screening

The Department of Public Health's recorded information line includes additional information about EEE and the West Nile Virus at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968).