We are planning to conduct an application of a granular mosquito larvicide by helicopter on Monday September 20, 2021 in the towns of Dedham and Westwood.  Please click here for the location of the application.  You may notice a low flying helicopter near your home if you live near these wetlands. The application will take less than 2 hours to complete in both Dedham and Westwood. In order to make an accurate application of the granular material, the helicopters need to get quite low to the surface (100-150 feet). They often turn around near or over homes. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

The product used in this application is VectoLex FG, a bacterial larvicide (bacillus sphaericus) on a granular corn cob base.  It is not a liquid spray. It is non-toxic to people and pets. It is only toxic to mosquito larvae.

 

We are specifically targeting the Cattail Mosquito (Coquilletidia perturbans), which is quite unique among mosquitoes. It attaches to the roots of emergent vegetation below the water surface to obtain oxygen. This mosquito emerges in late June through the month of July, and is a common evening biting mosquito in many parts of the U.S., including your area. After obtaining blood from an animal/person, the mosquito lays eggs in the wetlands and the eggs hatch into new larvae in late summer. They then overwinter as larvae and emerge as adults the following summer. Since they currently are in the larval stage, we can target them at this time to prevent an emergence next summer. Almost all other species of mosquito in the area remain as eggs over the winter, and this application will not control them. The Cattail Mosquito is considered a vector of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and is also a significant nuisance to people.

 

A nearby surveillance trap that we operate during the summer frequently catches these mosquitoes. We hope to reduce the numbers of this mosquito species and see the results in the trap next year. If it is highly effective in reducing the numbers of this particular mosquito, we hope to repeat and expand this application in years to come.