City To Spray For Mosquitoes Again In Northeast Queens This July

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — In a second attempt to combat mosquitos and West Nile virus, New York City is dousing northeastern Queens in mosquito repellent this July.

The health department will send low-flying helicopters over Alley Pond Park, Kissena Park and the abandoned Flushing airport between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday July 1, Friday July 2, and Tuesday July 6.

This is the second time this year that the health department has doused the city in mosquito repellent, and the second spray is supposed to further inhibit the spread of the West Nile virus.

Only nonresidential areas, such as marshes and wetlands, will get sprayed with the larvicide, according to the health department.

The chemical, VectoMax® GS, is environmentally friendly and has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, according to the health department.

And, according to the city's Health Commissioner, Dr. Dave A. Chokshi, not only is the "aerial larviciding" safe, but it also helps ensure that people stay better protected from mosquito-borne diseases, specifically including West Nile Virus.

Although no one has gotten the virus yet this season, according to the health department, New York City records cases of West Nile Virus almost every year, since it's one of the most mosquito-blighted parts of the United States.

To prevent mosquito bites, the Centers for Disease Control suggests using insect repellent that contain DEET, picaridin, ir3535, lemon eucalyptus oil, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone.

Other options include wearing long sleeves and pants, using air-conditioning or window and door screens, and replacing containers of standing water — including vases and pet bowls— weekly, since that's where the insects breed.

Here's where the aerial larviciding will happen in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx: