NEW YORK CITY – July 7, 2005 – To reduce mosquito activity, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will spray pesticide from trucks in parts of the Rockaways, Queens from 8:30 P.M. on Monday, July 11 to 6:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 12. If weather doesn't permit, spraying will be delayed until Tuesday, July 12 or the next possible night. To date, no human cases of West Nile virus have been identified in New York City.

The areas to be sprayed in Queens follow (also see attached map):

For this application, the Health Department will apply Anvil 10+10 (Sumithrin), a synthetic pyrethroid used in mosquito control efforts. A final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), completed by DOHMH in the summer of 2001, found that there is no significant risk of adverse impact to human health associated with the proper use of pyrethroids. Go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/wnv/feis.shtml to read the EIS.

The use of pesticides in New York City is conducted in accordance with federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) guidelines.

DOHMH Recommendations to Reduce Exposure to Mosquitoes

• Take personal precautions against mosquito bites:
• Use a mosquito repellant, such as those containing DEET, when outdoors in areas where mosquitoes are active. (Products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus are also effective, but these products should NOT be used on children younger than three.)
• Wear protective clothing (e.g., long pants, long-sleeved shirts) if possible
• Avoid shaded, bushy areas where mosquitoes like to rest
• Eliminate any standing water that collects on your property:
• Dispose of containers that can collect standing water
• Make sure roof gutters drain properly
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools
• Drain water that collects in pool covers
• Change water in birdbaths every three to four days
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use
• Remove discarded tires on your property
• Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties
• Repair or replace all screens that have tears and holes.

Recommendations to Avoid Direct Exposure to Pesticides

• Persons with asthma or other respiratory conditions are encouraged to stay inside during spraying since there is a possibility that spraying could worsen these conditions.
• Wash skin and clothing exposed to pesticides with soap and water. As always, rinse fresh fruits and vegetables with water before eating.
• It is recommended that food sold or prepared outdoors in the spraying area be covered with a non-porous material, such as plastic sheeting, during the spraying event.
• Air conditioners may remain on, but if you wish to reduce the possibility of exposure to pesticides, set the air conditioner vent to the closed position, or choose the "exhaust" function.
• If outdoor equipment and toys are exposed to pesticides, they may be washed with soap and water to reduce the possibility of exposure.

To report dead birds online, go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/wnv/wnvbird.shtml. And to report standing water online, visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/wnv/wnvwater.shtml.

For more information on how to protect against West Nile virus or spraying schedules, call 311 or visit http://www.nyc.gov/health/wnv.

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