Targeted ground spraying for mosquitoes planned in New Bedford for Friday, August 30 and Tuesday, September 3

The New Bedford Health Department, working closely with the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, is again this year conducting an annual monitoring program to track the potential threat from EEE and WNV carrying mosquitoes. Under the program, mosquito traps are put in place to collect pools of mosquitoes and mosquito populations are monitored throughout the summer months.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has notified the New Bedford Health Department that New Bedford is currently in the critical risk zone for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) due to recent positive testing of the disease found in bird-biting and mammal-biting mosquitoes within the city. West Nile Virus has also been detected in a test within the City.

As part of the mosquito tracking program, the New Bedford Health Department will request that the BCMCP target key areas of the New Bedford for spraying, including public parks and locations that host large public events.

As such, the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project will conduct targeted ground spraying for mosquitoes early on the morning of Friday, August 30, 2019. This round of spraying will target areas including Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Taber, Hazelwood Park, Riverside Park, Clasky Common Park, Ashley Park, the Poor Farm area, Custom House Square and the downtown area.

The Bristol County Mosquito Control Project will also conduct targeted ground spraying for mosquitoes early on the morning of Tuesday, September 3, 2019. This round of spraying will target the far North End of the city, including the areas surrounding the New Bedford Business Park, New Bedford Regional Airport, Sassaquin Pond, and Acushnet Avenue north of Phillips Avenue.

Spraying will take place between 2:00 am and sunrise on Friday and Tuesday morning, weather permitting. Residents in the vicinity of the targeted areas may wish to close their windows this evening prior to the spraying.