Mosquito abatement program begins today

Posted 7/8/14

With the summer in full swing, the city is again taking steps to help ensure the health and comfort of residents through its annual mosquito abatement program.

Beginning today, Department of …

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Mosquito abatement program begins today

Posted

With the summer in full swing, the city is again taking steps to help ensure the health and comfort of residents through its annual mosquito abatement program.

Beginning today, Department of Public Works crews will be putting larvicide cubes in catch basins throughout the city. The process is expected to take about a week.

“While the most recent test results [announced June 30] from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management [RIDEM] show that, to date, no mosquitoes in Rhode Island have tested positive for West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis, it’s important to continue this program to further our collective efforts to ensure that our communities are not affected,” Mayor Scott Avedisian said in a statement.

The mayor encouraged residents to protect themselves by following suggestions set forth by RIDEM. Since just one cup of standing water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes, residents should eliminate breeding grounds from yards by removing anything holding standing water, including old tires, debris, and buckets. Make sure gutters are clean so they drain properly, and maintain swimming pools. Other tips include using screens on windows and doors and using mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages when they are outside. Covering up at dawn and dusk and using mosquito repellent are other measures people can take to protect themselves from infection. Repellents should not contain more than 30 percent DEET, and should not be used on infants.

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  • GreenMom

    For those looking for an effective and naturally-based alternative to DEET for protection this summer, try Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE). I use it and it works great! It is registered with the EPA and recommended by the CDC. Cutter, Repel and Coleman all make products containing OLE as the active ingredient. I usually order on-line from amazon for the est price, but have seen the products in stores such as Wal-mart and at some sporting good stores as well.

    Wednesday, July 9, 2014 Report this