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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM TO DISTRIBUTE LARVICIDE TO COMMUNITIES FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management will distribute mosquito larvicide to Rhode Island communities and state and federal agencies on Wednesday, May 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at DEM's Pawtuxet Supply Depot in Cranston.Cities and towns will place larvicide in municipal catch basins several times during the mosquito season to try to limit the population of mosquitoes that can carry West Nile Virus. Catch basins are considered prime breeding areas of mosquitoes in both urban and suburban settings, and the use of larvicide is the best way for communities to reduce mosquito numbers and risk. DEM will be distributing enough Altosid pellets for the first application in more than 140,000 catch basins; a second distribution will take place in July. Altosid is applied monthly from June through September. Some communities will also be applying Bti "donuts" to standing water bodies and small areas that are hard to treat. Both Altosid and Bti are specific to mosquito larvae and have excellent environmental track records. Personal protection remains the first line of defense against mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Just one cup of standing water can produce thousands of mosquitoes. All Rhode Islanders can help to reduce mosquito numbers by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds around their properties by getting rid of anything in their yards that holds standing water, such as old tires, buckets, junk, and debris, and by making sure that gutters are clean so that they drain properly. -30- |
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