Suffolk to spray for mosquito control

Suffolk County is continuing its mosquito spraying efforts, weather permitting, with treatments Wednesday and Thursday in selected areas.

Ground spraying with the pesticide Anvil is planned for Wednesday from 6 to 10 p.m. on all streets in Ocean Bay Park on Fire Island, according to a health department news release.

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

On Thursday ground spraying with the pesticide Anvil is planned for 6 to 10 p.m. on all streets in Fire Island Pines, Water Island and Summer Club on Fire Island.

The spraying has become increasingly important as both Nassau and Suffolk counties try to contain the West Nile virus, which is spread through bites from infected mosquitoes. The counties also encourage residents to eliminate stagnant water, in which mosquitoes breed, from around their homes.

To date this year in Suffolk, 125 mosquito samples have tested positive for the virus. A Babylon Town resident, who has since recovered, was the first person on Long Island this year to contract the West Nile virus, Suffolk County health officials said, with another case under review.

As for the spraying, health officials said chances of experiencing medical problems were low but that residents may want to avoid exposure, with children and pregnant women 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 suffolkcountyny.gov/health.