By Gus Saltonstall
Portions of the Upper West Side will be among the areas of Manhattan sprayed with pesticides this upcoming week to help reduce mosquito activity and the risk of West Nile Virus.
The New York City Health Department will spray low concentrations of pesticides beginning on Monday between 8:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning. In case of bad weather, the spraying will be moved to Tuesday.
Morningside Heights and the northern part of the Upper West Side, from West 96th to 116th streets, will be sprayed, according to the Health Department. Central Park will also be sprayed with the pesticide.
The entirety of Inwood, Washington Heights, Harlem, and the Upper East Side will be sprayed, as well.
The Health Department says that some people who are sensitive to spray ingredients could experience short-term eye and throat irritation, or a rash. People with respiratory conditions might also be affected.
Here’s how the Health Department says to best keep safe from the pesticides.
To stay safe during spraying:
- Stay indoors, whenever possible.
- Air conditioners can remain on. While unnecessary, you may wish to close air conditioner vents, or choose the recirculate function.
After spraying:
- Wash skin and clothing exposed to pesticides with soap and water.
- Always wash fruits and vegetables with water.
The city department emphasized in a press release that the risks of pesticides for mosquito control are “low to people and pets.”
Earlier this summer, multiple mosquito samples found on the Upper West Side tested positive for West Nile Virus.
The city performs these mosquito-control events every summer.
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When we woukd be at the beach in the summer, we used to wait for the mosquito spray trucks to come. They produced a huge fog behind them and we would run outside and lay in it. We all survived into old old age.
Same here, in St. Louis in the late ‘50s to early ‘60s. I, too, survived, but I wonder if I may have been a brain surgeon or an astrophysicist had I not.
Same here. In our suburban Pennsylvania neighborhood in the 1950s, all of us kiddies would run behind the truck through the fog. I’m 80 now and still breathing vigorously.
Is it my imagination or are there less. Insects in general?
I used to go to Riverside park and ants were everywhere. Not souch anymore.
No, this is well documented. We’re starving them out.
For all you guys playing in the “fog,” the pesticide used in the 50s and 60s was DDT which is not harmful to humans. Maybe you need t-shirts that read “I survived DDT.”
The Government is spraying just before the election, LOL just kidding.
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but it looks like area code 10023 won’t be sprayed, per the map? Is that what other readers see? Thank you.
Lots of mosquitoes in my area on UWS. Do not know why they are only spraying concentrated areas. I live where’s lots of greenery and where water collects like everywhere else!
I find it very hard to believe that the pesticide spray’s only negative impact is on mosquitos. So every other creature and plant is completely safe? Plenty of people, for one reason or another, will have to be out and about during spraying – the homeless, for example – should they just take a deep breath and relax while others are tossing their organic salad indoors?
i hope it’s not harmful to birds which are diminishing. however, it’s killing insects which they eat to survive.
Have we learned nothing from Rachel Carson? Think big https://www.beyondpesticides.org/resources/mosquitos-and-insect-borne-diseases/documents/the-truth-about-mosquitoes,-pesticides-and-west-nile-virus
Poison in the food, in the water, in the air……….when will it stop??
Exactly.
Why isn’t riverside park and the avenues around it being sprayed?
Why not 10023? In the past week I have been bitten several times.
Last time I checked, exposure DDT can have negative effects on humans.
I was exposed to DDT as a child also, but just because I survived the experience doesn’t make it safe.
Thank you, Nancy. The big picture: pesticides = more harm than good.
I’m Wst 92nd in10025. When will we be sprayed?
Would love to know why:
– CPW to the river are not serviced between W90th to W59
– After being overrun by mosquitos all summer, spraying doesn’t take place until outdoor weather is on its way out.
Does the spray kill other insects as well?
Is there a schedule for the west side below 96 street?
We should know exactly what chemicals are being used just in case of severe reactions.
Yes we should know!