Ground Spraying at Babylon Town Beaches on Tuesday Evening

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services will be conducting a ground spraying against mosquitoes on Tuesday evening at most Babylon Town beaches.

Spraying on August 28th is expected to start around 7:30 p.m. and end by 11:30 p.m.

The SCDHS will be spraying Scourge, also known as resmethrin, via ground vehicles at Gilgo Beach, Oak Beach, Cedar Beach Golf Course, all parking and roadways at Cedar Beach, Overlook Beach as well as all streets in West Gilgo, Gilgo and adjecent to the Cedar Beach and Gilgo Beach Marinas.

Sharp Uptick in West Nile
192 mosquito samples and 29 birds have tested positive for the virus during this summer, in addition to and another in Huntington Town.

In response the County has been steadily spraying at Fire Island, as well as begun spraying all around the County, including in Lindenhurst, West Babylon, Amityville and Copiague area on August 2 and in an area stretching from West Babylon and Babylon Village to West Bay Shore on August 8.

The County has also treated Oak Beach on July 17 and Cedar Beach on August 14, as well as salt marshes at the beaches all around Suffolk, including those at the Babylon Town beaches on August 9, August 14, August 21 and August 23.

Spraying Precautions
The SCDHS said the chances of experiencing health effects from spraying are low, but advised residents to take precautions and extra steps to avoid exposure before, during or after the aerial spraying.

The SCDHS recommended residents do the following:

• Children and pregnant women should avoid any exposure.
• All people should remain indoors until 30 minutes after spraying has finished.
• Close windows and air vents to your home to avoid pesticides from being sucked indoors.
• Pick any homegrown fruits or vegetables before spraying and rinse thoroughly.
• Bring pet dishes such as bowls indoors during the spraying, and cover any fish ponds.
• If you do come into contact with pesticide, then wash area thoroughly with water.
• Wash clothes that come in direct contact with spray separately from other laundry.
• Consult your health care provider if you think you're experiencing health effects from spraying.
• Pick homegrown fruits and vegetables you expect to eat soon before spraying takes place, and rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables thoroughly with water before cooking or eating.
• Bring laundry and small toys inside before spraying begins, and wash with detergent and water if exposed to pesticides during spraying.

Further questions could be directed to the Suffolk County Division of Vector Control at 631-852-4270 or the Spraying Information Hotline at 631-852-4939.