Politics & Government

West Nile Spraying in Smithtown

Spraying to begin Monday night in Blydenburgh County Park and the surrounding areas.

The Suffolk County Department of Public Works will be spraying for mosquitoes Monday in the Smithtown area. This is a measure to combat the West Nile Virus recently discovered in Blydenburgh County Park and the surrounding community.

The spraying will occur from 8 p.m.-11:30 p.m. in Blydenburgh County Park and the adjacent areas, specifically from Ledgewood Drive and Plymouth Boulevard on the west to Maple Avenue and Route 111 on the east, up north to Ridge Road, Gardiner Road and Meadow Road and down south to Route 347 and Route 454.

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The spraying will be aerial, an "ultra low volume aerosol" that uses the pesticide scourge (resmethrin).

Officials say the risk of adverse health effects from spraying is low, but that particularly sensitive individuals may possibly experience eye, skin, nose or throat irritation or breathing problems. Pregnant women and children should remain inside during the spraying and for about 30 minutes afterwards.

Find out what's happening in Smithtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

You can minimize exposure by:

  • Keeping  windows and doors shut, setting air conditioners to re-circulate and turning window fans off.
  • Keeping children's toys indoors.
  • Keeping pets indoors, as well as their food, water dishes and toys.
  • Covering fish ponds during the spray period.

West Nile virus is a potentially fatal disease, although only one in 150 people who contract it develop serious illness.

For further information contact the Suffolk County Division of Vector Control at (631) 852-4270, the Spraying Information Hotline at (631) 852-4939 or go to www.suffolkcountyny.gov/health.


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