Aerial Mosquito Spraying Begins April 19

BEDFORD, MA - The town of Bedford announced Wednesday that the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project will be conducting a helicopter application of the biological larvicide, Bti, to control mosquito larvae over large wetlands located near Davis Road, Carlisle Road, South Road and the Spring Brook area.

Helicopter applications will take place between April 19 and April 26 and the Bti will be applied in a granular formulation by a helicopter flying low directly over the wetlands. Officials say residents do not need to take any special precautions for this application.

The material to be applied Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis) is a natural bacterium found in soil. The EPA classifies Bti as a relatively non-toxic pesticide. Bti is considered a target selective and environmentally compatible pesticide that affects mosquito larvae and a few closely related aquatic insects in the fly family. Once applied Bti stays suspended in water for 24 to 48 hours and then biodegrades as it settles to the bottom. The Bti product name is VectoBac G (EPA Registration #73049-10).

For more information, residents can contact the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project at 781-899-5730.