Suffolk to spray for mosquito control

Suffolk County plans to conduct ground and aerial spraying this week in its ongoing mosquito-control efforts, according to the county's health department.

West Nile virus is spread to people through bites from infected mosquitoes. So far this year, 125 mosquito samples in Suffolk have tested positive for the virus, health officials said. By late July last year, three mosquitoes had tested positive, and 19 tested positive in 2010.

Weather permitting, ground spraying using the pesticide Anvil is planned for Tuesday from 6 to 10 p.m. on all streets in Davis Park and Point O'Woods on Fire Island, the health department said in a news release.

Aerial spraying Wednesday using the pesticide Scourge is planned from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. in areas of Babylon, West Babylon, North Babylon, West Islip and West Bay Shore.

Health officials said chances of medical problems as a result of the spraying are low, but residents may want to avoid exposure. Children and pregnant women are especially advised to stay indoors during the treatment and for 30 minutes after.

To learn more, call the Suffolk County Division of Vector Control at 631-852-4270, the county's spraying information hotline at 631-852-4939 or check the "vector control" section of the health department's website at suffolk countyny.gov/health.