Town Fields to be Sprayed Thursday Evening August 16th After 8:30 PM

To be proactive and help protect residents from exposure to West Nile Virus or EEE, the Westford Board of Health voted recently to approve mosquito spraying of all Recreation and School athletic fields. This will be done on Thursday evening, August 16 after 8:30 pm, by Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Program (CMMCP). Please note that this preventative measure has a short term effect. Precautionary measures should be followed at all times to reduce your family’s exposure to these mosquito borne illnesses. Please print and follow the guidance provided below.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES 

Residents are urged to always protect themselves and pets against mosquito borne illness. You should do the following: 

• Avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquito activity is greatest. 

• Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants if outdoors when mosquitoes are active. 

• Use a repellent containing DEET, except on infants. Avoid concentrations above 10-15% for children and concentrations above 30-35 % for adults. Cream, lotion or stick formula is the best. 

• Cover arms and legs of children when playing outdoors and use netting to cover a baby’s carriage or playpen. 

• Fix holes in screens and windows. 

• Remove any standing water on your property including trash cans, pots, recycle bins and pool covers. 

• Pay special attention to tires, as they are a common place for mosquitoes to breed. 

• Turnover wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use. 

• Clean clogged roof gutters and remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of rainwater. 

• Do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths, aerate ornamental ponds and stock them with fish. 

• Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated.

        Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. 

Additional information can be found at the following websites:

MA Department of Public Health   

    General WNV Information:  www.mass.gov/dph/WNV

    Ground Spraying Fact Sheet:          www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/cdc/factsheets/mosquito-spraying.pdf

Central MA Mosquito Control Project

   General infomation:  www.CMMCP.org

   For spraying questions:  call M-F 7am-3:30pm

        508-393-3055

Westford Health Department: 

www.westfordma.gov/boh 

Sandy Collins, R.N., Director of Health Care Services or

Darren MacCaughey, R.S, .Director of Environmental Services

55 Main Street

Westford MA 01886

978 692 5509 (office)

978 399 2558 (fax)