Contact: Christine Miller 919 715 3204 (office),
919 271 0727 (cell)
Date: October 2, 2003 Distribution: Statewide
Mosquito Spraying Schedule For October 3 and 4
RALEIGH -N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) officials plan to conduct aerial spraying for mosquitoes in parts of several counties. Weather conditions and logistics permitting, spraying will occur on Friday October 3 in the afternoon/evening between 3 p.m. and sunset and Saturday October 4 in the morning between sunrise and 10 a.m. and in the afternoon/evening between 3 p.m. and sunset. See the list below for details on times and locations.
Spraying will be conducted in the more densely populated areas of the counties, based on U.S. census data. State staff members continue to collect mosquito population data in the field before and after spraying. Maps of the counties and spray areas are posted on the Web site, www.deh.enr.state.nc.us . The schedule will be posted on the Web site and updated often; please check the site frequently. The link at the bottom of the page is entitled ‘Mosquito Spray Schedule.’ County maps can be accessed by clicking on the county name.
Friday 3 October - p.m.
Bertie- Lewiston/Woodville, Windsor, and three small towns, please refer to map
Hertford- Ahoskie area
Gates- several small towns, please refer to map on Web site
Saturday 4 October - a.m. or p.m., will depend on weather and flight patterns
Beaufort- Little Washington, Chocwinity, Bath, Pantego, Bellhaven
Hyde-Englehard, Slocum, Swan Quarter, Germantown
Martin-Williamston, Jamesville
Pamlico- Hobucken, Bayboro, Pamlico Beach, Arapahoe, Minesott Beach
Tyrrell- Columbia, Gum Neck
Washington- Plymouth, Creswell, Cherry
Although a person’s chances of experiencing any health effects from spraying are quite low, the North Carolina Division of Public Health offers the following steps to reduce exposures to insecticides during spraying:
· Know the spray schedule-pay attention to media announcements about spraying.
· Remain indoors when pesticides are sprayed in your immediate area.
· If you must remain outside during spraying, avoid getting spray in your eyes. Looking directly into the spray may cause eye irritation. If the spray gets in your eyes, rinse them immediately with water.
· Keep children inside during spraying and for at least one hour after spraying ends.
· Do not let children play near or behind truck-mounted pesticide applicators.
· Close windows and doors before spraying begins.
· Window-unit air conditioners should be turned off or set to “recirculate” mode so outside air does not come into the house during the spraying. Leave them off for at least one hour after spraying ends or continue to operate on the recirculate setting for an hour.
· Wash exposed skin surfaces with soap and water if you come in contact with the insecticide.
· Wash homegrown fruits and vegetables thoroughly before cooking or eating.
The spraying will be an ultra-low volume (ULV) application of the insecticide naled. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency naled is used for controlling adult mosquitoes and also used on food and feed crops and in greenhouses. When applied in accordance with the label’s rate of application and the safety precautions, naled can be used without posing unreasonable risks to human health or to the environment. EPA has estimated the exposure and risks to both adults and children by ULV applications as hundreds or even thousands of times below an amount that might pose a health risk. Naled degrades rapidly in the environment and displays low toxicity to birds and mammals. Naled is highly toxic to insects, however, including honeybees. Beekeepers are encouraged to visit the following websites to take precautions
The public will be notified at least a day in advance of any plans to spray for mosquitoes in their area through public service announcements in English and Spanish to broadcast media and online at www.deh.enr.state.nc.us .
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