THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2024 Page 7 BOARD | FROM Page 1 According to Foss, the 54 species of mosquitos in Massachusetts pick up viruses from birds and pass the diseases to humans when they bite. Noone explained that traps collect mosquito lava and adult mosquitos. From March to September, teams go out to diff erent sites in salt marshes and fl ood areas to conduct surveillance of mosquito breeding. They are able to determine if the mosquitos are a risk to humans and what, if any, intervention should occur. Close attention is paid to catch basins, which are cleaned and monitored. Mosquitos often breed in artifi cial containers, and district workers remove 600 to 800 tires every year. Some salt marsh mosquitos lay their eggs in wet, muddy areas, such as stagnant ditches along salt marshes. High tides fl ood these areas and trigger the hatching of mosquito eggs. Salt marsh mosquitos are known for being aggressive day biters. Without treatment, they can have massive breeding numbers from June to September and are an extreme coastal nuisance. If larval counts are high, areas are treated with a bacterial larvicide, which, like all of the chemical treatments used by the district, pose a low risk to humans, wildlife and pollinators. The district recommends barrier spray treatments for public areas, such as parks, athletic fi elds and schools. A barrier spray is applied to surrounding trees, bushes and vegetation, which reduces mosquitos for several weeks. The spray is applied at night when mosquitos hunker down for the day. According to Noone, residents need to stay off fi elds after they’ve been sprayed but areas are safe for people to visit by the next morning. Property owners who are concerned about mosquitos can call the district. Staff will come and inspect a property to fi nd any areas or objects likely to attract breeding mosquitos. Birdbaths, kiddie pools and pet dishes — anywhere water can collect — are common culprits. Homeowners who have an abundance of mosquitos in their yard can contact the district and request that their property be sprayed. A pickup truck mounted with an Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) aerosol generator (sprayer) will come to a home after dark and pull into the driveway. The spray trucks deliver a 300-ft. column of mist spray to the property, which kills adult flying mosquitos. This technique, called adulticide, provides temporary control over flying mosquitos and will diminish mosquito populations that could potentially be carrying virus. Health Board member ViviA bird’s-eye view of Rumney Marsh looking towards Northgate. (Advocate fi le photo) ana Cataño asked about natural remedies. She had questions about using goats to graze on the phragmites, an invasive marsh plant favored by mosquitos for nesting and breeding, which was used before. Noone didn’t think goats would have the desired impact and said the district mows down the phragmites in October and grinds it to pulp. Cataño also asked about bringing in some dragonfl ies, which eat mosquitos. Foss said dragonfl ies do feed on mosquiGerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of tino I sur nce is p the l yal customers of ALWAYS READY TO SERVE YOU: Our Staff are, Emma Davidson, Jeimy Sanchez, Josephine Leone, Marie D’Amore, Rocco Longo, Z’andre Lopez, Anthony DiPierro, Darius Goudreau, Laurette Murphy, Danielle Goudreau and Tina Davidson. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM d t welcome tos but there is other food they prefer. And Foss said dragonfl ies would have to be imported from other states and they would pose a threat to local dragonfl y populations. The district maintains a userfriendly website at https://www. nemassmosquito.org/ where residents can request home inspections, truck spraying and removal of abandoned tires. The site also has a link for any resident who wants their home to be excluded from any widespread spraying or treatment. There’s a list of all chemicals and pesticides used and information about insecticides and things to avoid to escape mosquito bites.
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