Mosquito spraying on tap for Fire Island, Babylon Town communities

Suffolk County plans to spray pesticides to treat mosquitoes Wednesday on Fire Island, and Thursday night in parts of Town of Babylon communities.

Ground spraying of sumithrin will take place 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Smith Point Park recreation area. The Fire Island communities of Summer Club, Ocean Bay Park and Atlantique will be sprayed 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., health officials said.

On Thursday, aerial spraying of resmethrin will be done 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. in "an area in Babylon, North Babylon, West Babylon and North Lindenhurst bounded on the east by Route 231, on the south by the Long Island Railroad Babylon and central lines, on the west by Straight Path and on the north by Southern State Parkway," the Health Department said in a news release.

The health department said that "health effects from spraying are quite low," but advised that common-sense steps should be taken to avoid exposure. Children and pregnant women, the release said, should "remain inside or avoid the area whenever spraying takes place and for about 30 minutes after spraying."

To keep the pesticide from getting indoors, the release said, "Close windows and doors and close the vents of window air-conditioning units ... before spraying begins. Windows and air-conditioning vents can be reopened about 30 minutes after spraying."

Outdoors, pick homegrown fruits and vegetables, if possible, before spraying. Bring in laundry and all small toys indoors. If items are exposed to the pesticide, wash with soap and water.

Also, officials said, pet food and water dishes should be brought inside, and ornamental fish ponds should be covered during the spray period.

More information is at an information hotline, 631-852-4939, or at suffolkcountyny.gov/health.

With Gary Dymski