Aerial Larviciding Facts vs. Social Media Rumors

There has been a lot of misinformation on social media about the NEMMC aerial larviciding program. These maps show where treatments occur - targeting salt marsh areas to control mosquito larvae before they become biting adults. There is no indiscriminate 'spraying'. Field technicians each have sections of salt marsh uplands that are dipped daily leading up to a possible aerial application to confirm the application is needed. 

VectoBac12AS is a very selective larvicide with little or no effect on humans, pets, wildlife, pollinators, and most other beneficial insects. The product is specifically designed to target mosquito larvae and a few other closely related aquatic insects in the fly family.

Residents need not take any special precautions due to the safety of VectoBac12AS and because the application will occur directly over wetlands.  It is not ‘sprayed’ over residential neighborhoods.  

We’re sharing this to clear up recent misinformation and keep everyone accurately informed.

If you have further concerns about VectoBas 12AS please contact the Massachusetts Pesticide Program.

These maps show precisely where larviciding is completed. The purple lines show the path of the helicopter while the product is being applied.

Areas are subject to change pending where mosquito breeding is found.