Mosquito spraying set for South Shore communities

As part of its effort to stop the spread of West Nile virus, the Suffolk County Department of Public Works will spray the mosquito-control pesticide sumithrin in several communities on Fire Island and the county's South Shore.

The spraying will take place:

on all streets in Ocean Bay Park on Fire Island, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday;

in Fire Island Pines, Water Island, Atlantique and Summer Club on Fire Island, from 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday;

in South Shirley, Mastic Beach and Old Mastic, all streets south of Alcolade Drive West, Chanel Drive, Mastic Road and Riverside Avenue, from the Forge River to Bellport Bay, including Smith Point Park campgrounds and marina. That spraying is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Chances of experiencing medical problems because of the pesticide applications are low, health officials said, but residents may want to avoid exposure, with children and pregnant women especially advised to stay indoors during the treatment and for 30 minutes after the spraying.

For more information, call the county's spray hotline at 631-852-4939, or see www.co.suffolk.ny.us online.