Officials in the central New Jersey County of Middlesex are warning residents that potentially hazardous chemicals will be sprayed into the air this week and next and people should reduce their and their pets exposure to the outdoors during the times of application. The Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission announced that the spraying of Malathion (Fyfanon), Etofenprox (Zenivex), Prallethrin (Sumithrin), and Deltamethrin (DeltaGard) into the Middlesex County communities of East Brunswick, Helmetta, Spotswood, Monroe Township, and Old Bridge tomorrow, September 7, and South Brunswick on Monday, September 11. Etofenprox will be the primary chemical agent used.
“Plan your activities to limit time spent outside during times of possible insecticide treatments,” the Commission warned. “Move your pets, their food, and water dishes inside during application. Also bring clothing and children’s toys inside.”
“Whenever possible, remain indoors with windows closed and with window air conditioners on non-vent (closed to the outside air) and window fans turned off during spraying. Avoid direct contact with surfaces that are still wet from pesticide spraying,” the Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission adds.
The Commission also warns that children should avoid outdoor areas during and after spraying: “Do not allow children to play in areas that have been sprayed until they have completely dried (approximately one hour.)”
Etofenprox is manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Agro Inc.; beyond used as a vector control, it’s also used as an ingredient in flea medications for cats and dogs. The chemical works by disturbing the nervous systems of insects following direct contact or ingestion. In humans, the chemical is harmful if swallowed and causes moderate eye irritation. Repeated exposure to the chemical could cause skin irritation. This chemical is also toxic to aquatic organisms, including fish and aquatic invertebrates. Even run-off from treated areas into nearby streams or rivers could be hazardous to dish. Etofenprox is also highly toxic to bees who may be exposed to direct treatment on blooming crops or weeds.
If weather interferes with plans to spray on September 7, September 12 has been assigned as a back-up date. For September 11 sprays, the weather back-up date is set for September 12. For now, most sprays are scheduled to occur between 6:30 pm and 11:59 pm.
Thursday: Helmetta and Adjacent Areas of Spotswood and Monroe Township
Thursday: Old Bridge
Thursday: Monroe Township, South of Route 33
Thursday: Helmetta and Adjacent Areas of Spotswood and Monroe Township
Monday: South Brunswick
“If you believe that you have been exposed to pesticide spray and have health-related questions, contact your physician,” warns the Commission.
The spraying of these chemicals is in compliance with section 9.10 and 9.15 of the New Jersey Pesticide Control Code (N.J.A.C. Title 7, Chapter 30). Based on that code, the Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission can mosquito control products for the control of adult mosquito populations on an area-wide basis, as needed, throughout Middlesex County during the period of May 1st through November 30th.
The Middlesex county Mosquito Commission says for routine pesticide-related health inquiries, people can contact the National Pesticide Information Center, at 1-800-858-7378. For information on pesticide regulations, pesticide complaints and health referrals, they suggest people can contact the New Jersey Pesticide Control Program at 1-887-927-6337. And in the case of any pesticide emergency, people can contact the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System at 1-800-222-1222.
