Helicopters will spread bacteria that kills mosquito larvae on Chapman Pond
The application, which consists of pellets that kill mosquito
larvae being dropped by a helicopter, will take place between 8 AM and 3 PM. In
the event of inclement weather, a rain date will occur on Tuesday, April 30, weather
permitting.
Bti, a naturally occurring bacterium applied in granular form to control mosquito breeding in swamps and other breeding habitats, is the treatment that will be applied. It is applied to standing water where developing larvae are found.
It is an environmentally friendly product whose toxins specifically affect the larvae of only mosquitoes, black flies, and fungus gnats and do not pose a risk to human health.
Larviciding is recommended
as part of the state's action plan to control West Nile Virus and Eastern
Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and considered an effective strategy to reduce
mosquito populations and related disease risk.
In most communities, the state recommends applying larvicide by hand to roadside catch basins. In the Chapman Swamp area of Westerly, however, aerial application is recommended given the area’s remote location and large footprint. Mosquitoes carrying the EEE virus were found in Chapman Swamp in 1996, 2003, 2019, 2020, 2022.
Since 1997, the Town has applied
Bti annually to help control mosquito breeding. Additional dates for treatment
may be scheduled by the Town; the targeted areas include portions of Chapman
Swamp and swampland near Hespar Drive.
For additional mosquito prevention tips, videos, and
local data from the Rhode Island Department of Health, visit
health.ri.gov/mosquito.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives,
visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook,
Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.