To reduce mosquito activity and the risk of West Nile virus, the New York City Health Department will conduct its second aerial larviciding treatment of the season to marshes and wetland areas of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island from Monday, July 18 to Wednesday, July 20 between the hours of 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting.
According to an annnouncemeent by the Health Department, the helicopter will treat only nonresidential areas. While three days are allotted for the aerial larviciding, the application may be completed in less time. In case of bad weather, application will be delayed until Thursday, July 21 to Friday, July 22 and Monday, July 25, 2022, during the same hours, added the announcement.
The Health Department monitors mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus. “To date, no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported this season,” the annoucement said. During warm weather, mosquitoes can breed in any still water that has been standing for more than five days. In the targeted areas, existing hot and wet weather conditions can cause a rise in mosquito populations. Due to size and limited accessibility, these areas will be treated using a low-flying helicopter. The locations of aerial larviciding are identified in charts below.
West Nile virus was first found in New York State in 1999. Since 2000, 490 human cases and 37 deaths of WNV have been reported statewide. Most people infected with EEE or WNV do not develop any signs or symptoms. If illness develops, symptoms usually occur 3-15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito.
For the aerial application in marshes and wetland areas of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, the Health Department will use larvicides to kill young mosquitoes before they grow into adults. VectoBac® GS and VectoPrime® FG contain naturally occurring bacteria and will be used for this application. “These products have been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and will be used on mosquito breeding grounds throughout the mosquito season,” the department said in a press release.
“The most effective way to control mosquitoes is to eliminate any standing water. New Yorkers are encouraged to mosquito-proof their homes and take precautions when spending time outdoors,” it added.
Reducing exposure to mosquitoes
- Use an approved insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (not for children under three), or products that contain the active ingredient IR3535.
- Make sure windows have screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
- Eliminate any standing water from your property and dispose of containers that can collect water. Standing water is a violation of the New York City Health Code.
- Make sure roof gutters are clean and draining properly.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty or covered if not in use. Drain water that collects in pool covers.
Report standing water by calling 311 or visiting nyc.gov/health/wnv. For more information about West Nile virus, call 311 or visit nyc.gov.
Locations of Aerial Larviciding in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx:
| Borough | Neighborhoods | Marsh/Wetland Areas to be Treated | Boundaries | Zip Code |
| Staten Island | Arlington, Old Place, Howland Hook | Goethals North | Marsh areas bounded by South Avenue to the east; former North Shore Railroad to the north; Arthur Kill Channel to the west; and Staten Island Expressway to the south | 10303 |
| Bloomfield | Corporate Park North | Marsh areas bound by Graham Avenue and Felton Street to the east; Goethals Road North to the north; Gulf Avenue to the west; and Teleport Drive and Edward Curry Avenue to the south | 10311
10314 |
|
| Charleston | Fairview Park | Marsh areas bounded by Veterans Road W to the east; Englewood Avenue to the north; Arthur Kill Road to the west; and Bricktown Way, Veterans Road W to the south | 10309 | |
| Chelsea,
Bloomfield |
Saw Mill Marsh North | Marsh areas bounded by Chelsea Road to the east; River Road to the north; Arthur Kill Channel to the west; and Sawmill Creek to the south | 10314 | |
| Chelsea,
Bloomfield |
Saw Mill Marsh | Marsh areas bounded by South Avenue to the east; Edward Curry Avenue, Chelsea Road and River Road to the north; Pralls River to the west; Meredith Avenue, Chelsea Road and South Avenue to the south | 10314 | |
| Chelsea,
Bloomfield |
Corporate Park | Marsh areas bounded by south Avenue to the east and south; Edward Curry Avenue to the north; and Chelsea Road and Bloomfield Avenue to the west | 10314 | |
| Chelsea | Chelsea East | Marsh areas bounded by Victory Boulevard to the east; South Avenue and Travis Avenue to the north; Chelsea Road to the west; and Meredith Avenue to the south | 10314 | |
| Chelsea , Travis | Chelsea | Marsh areas bounded by Victory Boulevard to the east; Meredith Avenue, Chelsea Road, South Avenue, and Travis Avenue to the north; Arthur Kill Channel to the west; and Wild Avenue and Victory Boulevard to the south | 10314 | |
| Fresh Kills | Fresh Kills | Marsh areas bounded by Richmond Avenue to the east; Main Creek to the north; West Shore Expressway to the west; and Arthur Kill Road to the south | 10314 | |
| Fresh Kills, Richmond Town | La Tourette | Marsh areas bounded by Richmond Hill Road to the east; Forest Hill Road to the north; Richmond Avenue to the west; and Arthur Kill Road to the south | 10306
10308 10314 |
|
| Port Mobile | Port Mobile | Marsh and wetland areas bounded by Arthur Kill Road to the east; Arthur Kill Channel to the north and the west; and Outerbidge Crossing to the south | 10309 | |
| Wolfe’s Pond Park | Wolfes Pond Park | Marsh areas bounded by Luten Avenue, Cornelia Avenue and Chisholm Street to the east; Staten Island Railway to the north; Holton Avenue to the west; and Boardwalk Avenue to the south | 10309
10312 |
|
| Blue Heron Park | Blue Heron Park | Marsh areas bounded by Barclay Avenue to the east;; Amboy Road to the north; Arbutus Avenue to the west; and Hylan Boulevard to the south | 10312 | |
| South Beach | South Beach | Marsh areas bounded by Quintard Street and Sand Lane to the east; Mason Avenue to the north; Seaview Avenue to the west; and Father Capodanno Boulevard to the south | 10305 | |
| Old Town | Old Town | Marsh areas bounded by Naughton Avenue and Seaview Avenue to the east; Zoe Street to the north; Stobe Avenue, Rowan Avenue and Graham Boulevard to the west; and, Father Capodanno Boulevard to the south | 10305 | |
| Brooklyn | Marine Park | Marine Park | Marsh areas bounded by Flatbush Avenue to the east; Avenue U to the north; Gerritsen Avenue to the west; and Belt Parkway to the south | 11229
11234 |
| Fresh Creek Basin | Fresh Creek | Marsh areas bounded by Louisiana Avenue to the east; Stanley Avenue to the north; East 108th Street to the west; and Belt Parkway to the south | 11207
11236 11239 |
|
| Queens | Alley Pond Park | Alley Creek | Marsh areas inside Alley Pond Park – areas bounded by Douglaston Parkway and 240th Street to the east; Northern Boulevard to the north; Cross Island Parkway and East Hampton Boulevard to the west; and Grand Central Parkway to the south | 11361
11362 11363 11364 |
| Linden Hill/ College Point | Abandoned
Flushing Airport |
Marsh areas bounded by Whitestone Expressway to the east; 20th Avenue to the north; 130th Avenue and Ulmer Street to the west; and Ulmer Street and 28th Street to the south | 11354
11356 11357 |
|
| Edgemere,
Somerville |
Dubos Point and Edgemere Park | Marsh areas bounded by Norton Basin to the east; Mott Point to the north; Grass Hassock Channel to the west; and Beach 65th Street, De Costa Avenue and Almeda Avenue to the south | 11691 11692 | |
| Brookville, Rosedale | Brookville Park and Hook Creek Park | Marsh areas bounded by Brookville Boulevard and Huxley Street to the east; South Conduit Avenue between Brookville Boulevard and 232 Street to the north; Springfield Lane between 149 Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard to the west; and Rockaway Boulevard/Hook Creek to the south | 11413
11422 11430 |
|
| Kissena Park | Kissena Park | Marsh areas bounded by 164th Street to the east; Oak Avenue and Rose Avenue to the north; and Kissena Boulevard to the west; and Booth Memorial Avenue to the south | 11355
11365 |
|
| The Bronx | Pelham Bay Park North | Pelham Bay North | Marsh areas bounded by Amtrak Railroad to the east; New England Thruway to the north; and the Hutchinson River to the west and south | 10464
10475 |
| Pelham Bay Park South | Pelham Bay South | Marsh areas bounded by Pelham Bay Parkway and Hutchinson River to the south and east; and Erskine Place to the north and west | 10464
10465 10475
|
