Please note that the MDPH risk level in Framingham, Marlborough, Northborough, and Sudbury has been raised to CRITICAL and the risk level in Berlin, Boylston, Hudson, Maynard, Stow, and Wayland has been raised to HIGH. Concord remains at MODERATE, but residents should be vigilant and use protection from mosquitoes. Avoid being outdoors during peak mosquito hours from dusk to dawn to help reduce risk.
To see the state risk level map, please visit the following website: http://www.mosquitoresults.com/
Mosquito Protection
- Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
- Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.
- Students playing after-school sports into late afternoon or early evening hours should carry mosquito repellent and use it as necessary.
- Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
- Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
- Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
Protect Your Animals
Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools — especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes
Additional information may be found on the following websites:
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH): https://www.mass.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases
Arbovirus Risk Level Daily Update: http://www.mosquitoresults.com/
For inquiries on mosquitoes or how to control them, contact the Eastern Middlesex Mosquito Control Project (EMMCP) at (781) 899-5730 or visit their website at: https://sudbury.ma.us/emmcp/