Submitted by the Bedford Board of Health
In an effort to ensure an early detection, warning, and response system is in place to manage mosquito populations and mosquito-borne illness like West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Bedford, the Bedford Board of Health works closely with the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project (EMMCP) who conducts mosquito control activities in Bedford.
EMMCP treats mosquito larvae in wetlands with aerial and portable sprayers and provides larvicide for treating the catch basins in town. Additionally, mosquitoes are collected from five trap locations in town to determine population numbers and types of mosquitoes. The collected mosquitoes are tested for the presence of disease. Also, in an effort to control adult mosquito populations, truck mounted aerosol spraying will be conducted when elevated population numbers are identified in the traps.
While the Board of Health promotes mosquito control in addition to personal protection methods like wearing repellent, avoiding being outside between the hours of dusk and dawn and mosquito-proofing your home, they would like to make the residents of Bedford aware of their option to exempt their property from pesticide applications performed by EMCPP. Residents interested in excluding their properties from pesticide applications are advised to navigate to the following web page: www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/agr/pesticides/mosquito/pesticide-application-exclusions.html
On this page are links to the Exclusion Request Form and an opportunity to fill out an online exemption form. This new method for filing an exemption takes the place of the previous exclusion method of filling out an exemption form each year and submitting it to the Town Clerk. If you have any questions on this method or about mosquito control, please contact the Board of Health at 781-275-6507.