Link to DEM Home Page Link to State of RI web site RIDEM graphical banner, showing land and water scene
Navigation button, HomeNavigation button, ProgramsNavigation button, TopicsNavigation button, MapsNavigation button, PublicationsNavigation button, NewsNavigation button, EventsNavigation button, SearchNavigation button, HelpNavigation button, Contact
Home > News > News Item


DEM's WNV/EEE Page

Mosquito Response Protocol

DOH's WNV Page

DOH's EEE Page
 
News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: April 25, 2008
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

WESTERLY TO APPLY MOSQUITO LARVICIDE TO SWAMP AREAS ON MONDAY, APRIL 28, IN YEARLY ROUTINE

PROVIDENCE - The Town of Westerly, as it has done on a routine basis each year since 1997, will apply granules of mosquito larvicide by helicopter to 500 acres of swamp to control mosquito breeding. The targeted areas are portions of Chapman's Swamp and the swamp area adjacent to Hespar Drive. The town is notifying adjacent landowners of its intent, as well as the general public, that it plans to apply the larvicide on Monday, April 28, between 7 a.m. and noon. Rain date will be the first available following date. The larvicide may also be applied on future dates after notification by the town.

The Department of Environmental Management approved the town's application to apply the larvicide Bti for mosquito control to the targeted areas.

Bti is a naturally occurring bacterium, which is applied in granular form to swamps and other mosquito breeding habitats to prevent larval mosquitoes from developing into adults. It is extremely safe from both an environmental and human health standpoint. Larviciding by communities is recommended as part of the state's action plan for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and is the best way for communities to reduce mosquito numbers and risk.

The state is not advocating wide-scale aerial application of larvicide, and it is recommended that most communities apply larvicide by hand into roadside catch basins. Westerly's Chapman Swamp area is unique because of its large size and its inaccessibility and because of the presence there in 1996 and again in 2003 of mosquitoes carrying the EEE virus. Westerly began using the larvicide Bti on a yearly basis in 1997 after the EEE virus was found in mosquitoes breeding in Chapman Swamp.

-30-
For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer