Fall River to spray mosquito pesticide around Great Feast of the Holy Ghost: What to know

FALL RIVER — The city is making sure there will be no unwanted guests for the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost by spraying the area around Kennedy Park for mosquitoes this week.

Weather permitting, the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project will spray the area on Wednesday, Aug. 21, and Friday, Aug. 23. The Portuguese feast runs from Wednesday to Sunday.

Here’s what you need to know:

Where will the mosquito spraying take place?

Spraying will occur in a large area around the Kennedy Park neighborhood, a quadrant with the borders of Hope Street to the north, South Main Street to the east, Center Street to the south, and Bay Street to the west.

What time will the mosquito spraying happen?

It will happen between 2 and 6 a.m. on both Aug. 21 and 23.

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Is the mosquito spraying safe? Do I have to take any precautions?

Yes, the spray used is safe for humans and pets. It contains a common pesticide, etofenprox, used in flea and tick shampoos for pets.

Residents in the area can, as a precaution, keep their windows closed and not use air conditioning on those two nights, keep pets indoors, and thoroughly wash any homegrown fruit or vegetables that have been kept outside.

“However, pets that remain outdoors would not be expected to experience adverse health effects from the spraying," states a release from the city Health Department.

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Why is the area being sprayed?

Mosquitoes are most active at dusk, when the Holy Ghost feast is expected to draw a crowd of thousands.

Mosquitoes carry the threat of eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus. Neither disease has been detected in Fall River so far this year, but have been in years past .

How to protect yourself from mosquito bites

Even with the spraying, people headed to the feast may want to take precautions against bug bites:

• Use mosquito repellent while outdoors containing DEET
• Wear long sleeves, pants and socks
• Use mosquito nets if bringing kids in baby carriages or strollers

And those who live in the area can help reduce the spread by removing standing water from their property in gutters, old tires, wheelbarrows, wading pools and other objects, where mosquitoes breed.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River to spray mosquito pesticide around Great Feast of the Holy Ghost: What to know