Suffolk to spray pesticides on Fire Island, Smith Point

Suffolk County plans to spray pesticides on parts of Fire Island and Smith Point County Park next week to control mosquitoes.

On Tuesday, July 6, the county department of public works will treat Davis Park and Point O'Woods on Fire Island with the pesticide Anvil, to be applied by ground spraying between 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Anvil will be applied by ground spraying at the Smith Point County Park recreation area on Wednesday, July 7, between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.

The county health department said it was unlikely that residents would experience any health effects but advised children and pregnant women to avoid exposure when practical. "If possible, remain inside or avoid the area whenever spraying takes place and for about 30 minutes after spraying," the department said in a news release.

Residents are advised to close doors, windows and air-conditioning vents before spraying begins to prevent the pesticide from getting indoors. Other steps residents may take include picking homegrown produce before spraying and bringing in laundry and pet food and water dishes.

For more information, call the county's spraying hotline at 631-852-4939, or go to www.suffolkcountyny.gov/health.