FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: August 19, 2013
CONTACT: William J. Buckley, Director of Economic
& Community Development
978.983.8565
Methuen to Treat
for Mosquitoes
Mayor Stephen Zanni, the
Methuen Public Schools and the City of Methuen Board of Health want to inform
residents that Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control (NEMMC) will conduct
targeted spraying throughout the City at the schools and recreational fields
prior to the opening of school.
The spraying is being conducted as a precautionary measure as there
have been several positive samples of West Nile Virus (WNV) and EEE within the
NEMMC district. There have been no
positive tests within the City of Methuen.
However, in an effort to decrease human health risk in the City, the
treatment will be used to decrease the population of adult mosquitoes in the
targeted area. Treatment spraying will
begin on Thursday, August 22, 2013 from the hours of 8:00 pm until 4:00
am. Operations may continue on Friday,
August 23, 2013 at 8:00 pm if needed due to unfavorable weather conditions on
Thursday such as temperature, rain or high winds.
The spraying
material to be used is Duet, a Sumithrin-based product with low mammalian
toxicity and will be sprayed using truck based equipment. Barrier spraying at the fields with utilize a
product called Suspend SC, as
needed. No special precautions by residents
are needed at this time. If you wish,
you can close windows if you reside in close proximity to any of the schools or
fields. Any outdoor furniture or
equipment can be used at sunrise the following morning. The fields can also be used the following
morning.
Avoid mosquito bites and reduce mosquito populations around their home
and neighborhoods. By taking a
few, common-sense precautions, you can help protect yourself and your family:
Avoid
Mosquito Bites
·
Be aware of
peak mosquito hours. The hours from
dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Limit your time outdoors
during these peak periods of mosquito activity Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that take place during evening
or early morning hours. Otherwise, take extra care to use bug spray and
protective clothing.
·
Clothing can
help reduce mosquito bites.
Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long
pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
·
Take special care to cover up the arms and
legs of children playing outdoors. When
you bring a baby outdoors, cover the baby’s carriage or playpen with mosquito
netting.
·
Apply bug
spray when you go outdoors. Use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET or Picaridin.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus may also be considered. Products with permethrin should only be used
on clothing. Always follow the directions on the label. Repellents
should not be used on children younger than two months of age. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on
children under three years of age.
SPRAYING LOCATIONS
1.
Tenney Grammar School and fields behind school
Field accessible from Pleasant View Street
through Davis Road 75 Pleasant Street
2. Timony Grammar School and
football fields and track adjacent to the
school 45 Pleasant
View Street
3. Marsh Grammar School and field in the rear 309
Pelham Street
4. Comprehensive Grammar School and field in
rear 100
Howe Street
Field
accessible from Kensington Street off of Howe Street
5. Methuen High School and adjacent field 1
Ranger Road
6. Neil Playstead Fields Lawrence
Street
7. Burnham Road Fields Burnham
Road
8. Riverside Drive Park Riverside
Drive
9. Gill Ave Fields
Gill Ave
10.
Veterans Park Milk
Street
Behind Parlex Corp. by Burger King
11. Ashford Fields Ashford Street
12. Potters Field Pelham
Street
Field Next
to Outback Steakhouse
13. Woodland
Street Fields Haverhill
Street
Fields next
to YMCA
14. Pleasant valley School play area 180
Pleasant Valley
NOTE: All field locations
in italics are city owned.
