Steps to take as mosquito spraying continues on Long Island

Suffolk County will begin a two-day mosquito-spraying program on Fire Island at 6 p.m. today. Ocean Bay Park will be sprayed from 6 to 10 tonight, and Fire Island Pines, Water Island, Atlantique and Summer Club will be sprayed from 6 to 10 p.m. tomorrow.

The county is using sumithrin, a pyrethroid pesticide branded as Anvil that contains a synthetic version of a naturally occurring compound produced by chrysanthemum flowers that is effective against adult mosquitoes. The ground spraying of all streets in those villages will be conducted using an ultra-low volume aerosol spray. 

Although pyrethroids typically don't pose a hazard to most humans, there are several precautions residents should take. The county recommends the following: