Nassau, Suffolk plan ground spraying for mosquitoes

With an eye toward controlling adult mosquitoes, both Suffolk and Nassau counties are planning to conduct ground spraying in the coming days.

Based on mosquito activity and the presence of West Nile virus in some mosquito samples, ground spraying is to be conducted, weather permitting, in several targeted Nassau County areas Thursday and Tuesday, county health officials said.

Areas to be treated Thursday from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. with the pesticide Scourge are parts of Bethpage, Hicksville, Levittown, Plainedge, Plainview, Farmingdale and Old Bethpage, officials said. To be treated next Tuesday in the same time range are parts of New Cassel, Salisbury, Westbury, East Meadow, Hicksville and Levittown. Maps of exact locations can be found at www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Health/index.html.

Ground spraying with the pesticide Anvil will be conducted Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m. on all streets in the Fire Island communities of Water Island, Atlantique, Summer Club and Fire Island Pines, Suffolk County health officials said. As previously reported, spraying will be conducted Wednesday in the same time range in Ocean Bay Park, Seaview and Ocean Beach.

Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus to people through bites.

The chances of experiencing health effects from the ground spraying are "quite low," health officials say, but children and pregnant women should avoid exposure by staying clear of the area during spraying and at least 30 minutes after.

Among the "common-sense steps" officials suggest are closing doors, windows and air-conditioning vents during spraying and 30 minutes after.