NEW YORK — The summer months bring warmer temperatures and longer days, but they also mean more mosquitoes.
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will start spraying against the pests starting Friday, June 7.
The DOH will spray on Friday from 6am to 7pm, and then again on Monday, June 10 and Tuesday, June 11, weather permitting.
The spraying will target swamps and wetlands in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.
Maps show where NYC will spray for mosquitoes
The city will start spraying in four of the five districts, with an emphasis on non-residential areas. Here is a list of the locations.
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Brooklyn: Marine Park, Fresh Creek Park, Brookville Park and Far Rockaway (zip codes: 11207, 11229, 11234, 11236, 11239)
Queens: Abandoned Flushing Airport and Alley Pond Park (zip codes: 11354, 11355, 11356, 11357, 11361, 113262, 11363, 11364, 11365, 11413, 11422, 11430, 11691, 11692)
Bronx: Pelham Bay Park North and South (zip codes: 10464, 10465, 10475)
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Staten Island (Zip codes: 10303, 10305, 10306, 10308, 10309, 10311, 10312, 10314):
- Goethals North
- North Business Park
- Business park
- Fairview Park
- Sawmill Swamp North
- Sawmill Marsh
- Chelsea East
- Chelsea
- Fresh murders, Richmond Town
- Fresh murders
- Port mobile
- Wolfespond Park
- Blue Heron Park
- South beach
- Old City
View more details about the exact locations here.
NYC DOH wants to stop the spread of West Nile
The DOH will use a low-flying helicopter to spray so-called larvicides, which kill young mosquitoes before they become adults.
The larvicides, VectoBac® GS and VectoPrime® FG, contain naturally occurring bacteria and are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state.
Mosquitoes are considered the deadliest animal on the planet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They spread diseases such as malaria and other serious diseases such as West Nile and Zika viruses.
The city made no mention of it human cases of West Nile virus so far this season. Most people do not develop symptoms, but the virus can lead to serious illness, especially in people aged 60 and over.
West Nile mosquitoes typically bite around sunset and sunrise, and symptoms usually appear between three and 15 days later.
Tips to keep mosquitoes at bay
Health officials say the key to keeping mosquitoes away is eliminating standing water. The DOH shared the following tips for the season:
- Make sure the gutters are clean and drain properly.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty or covered when not in use, and remove any water that collects on the lids.
- Make sure the windows have screens and check for cracks or holes.
- Wear lightweight and light-colored long clothing in swampy areas.
- Use approved insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin or products containing the active ingredient IR3535. You can also use lemon eucalyptus oil, but this is not recommended for children under 3 years old.
New York City was recently ranked as the the second worst city in the US for mosquitoesbehind Los Angeles, California.
