Use Germs on Mosquitos

BY VICTOR G. MIMONI

Thursday, August 16, 2007 10:43 AM EDT

In an ongoing campaign to prevent a possible outbreak of West Nile virus, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has announced yet another round of helicopter missions to eliminate mosquito larvae.

According to DOHMH, the helicopters will be dropping “natural bacterial granules” on non-residential marshlands in Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx, on Thursday, August 16, Friday, August 17 and Monday, August 20, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. In case of rain, the campaign will continue the following day.

DOHMH says the “larvicide” pellets are meant to kill the mosquito larvae, which live near the surface of pools of stagnant water, before they can emerge as adult insects. Because the best breeding grounds are in large marshy areas which are inaccessible by truck, low-flying helicopters are needed to reach them.

The following areas are targeted for “aerial larviciding,” according to DOHMH:

Douglaston/Oakland Gardens - Marsh areas inside Alley Pond Park

Linden Hill/College Point - Flushing Airport area

Flushing - Marsh along Flushing creek

The agents being used by DOHMH are VectoBac CG and/or VectoLex CG, which contain a bacteria, bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. According to the data sheets required by federal law, the substance is not toxic to humans or animals, but is irritating to eyes and skin when directly exposed.

The targeted areas are unoccupied marshland according to the DOHMH.