PROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will distribute mosquito larvicide to communities next week to help control mosquito populations statewide.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Building #75, East Farm; University of Rhode Island Route 108, South Kingstown
Larviciding is recommended as part of the state's action plan for West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and considered an effective strategy to reduce mosquito populations and related disease risk. The larvicide is placed in underground stormwater catchment basins which are prime breeding areas of mosquitoes that carry WNV. Four Star, a briquette that releases environmentally-benign bacteria over a 90-day period, will be distributed. Only one application is required per season.
Now in its 22nd year, DEM's larvicide distribution program was initiated in 2000 when WNV was first detected in Rhode Island. Targeting underground stormwater catchment basins is a common practice used nationwide to decrease the production of adult mosquitoes and therefore reduce human risk of WNV in the urban environment.
It is recommended that cities and towns treat all underground catchment basins with larvicide. While DEM will provide communities with a limited free supply of larvicide, additional product is available for purchase directly from the distributor. Funding for next week's distribution is provided by DEM. For more information, call Al Gettman at 789-6280.
For mosquito prevention tips, videos, and local data visit http://www.health.ri.gov/mosquito. For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.