Harlem To Be Sprayed With Pesticides To Stop West Nile, City Says

HARLEM, NY — Dozens of Harlem blocks will be sprayed with pesticides early Tuesday as the city targets mosquitos carrying the West Nile virus, which has surged this year along with the city's insect population.

Trucks will spray pesticides between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. Tuesday in portions of Central and East Harlem, as well as Midtown and the Upper West and East sides.

The spraying was originally supposed to begin earlier, around 8 p.m. Monday, but the city agreed to push it back after hearing concerns from rabbis that it would impact outdoor celebrations of Shemini Atzeret, a Jewish holiday, according to Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer's office.

Very low levels of pesticides will be sprayed, so there is little risk to people or pets, according to the city's Health Department. Some people sensitive to spray ingredients may suffer rashes or short-term eye and throat irritation, and those with respiratory conditions could also be affected, the city said.

The area of Harlem being sprayed is bordered by Morningside Avenue to the west, 119th Street to the north, the Harlem River to the east and East 106th Street to the south. (ZIP codes 10026 and 10029).

People worried about side effects should stay indoors Monday night. Air conditioners can stay on, but people may choose to close their AC vents or use the "recirculate" function, the city said.

If exposed to the sprays — the brands Anvil, Duet, or DeltaGard — residents can wash their skin or clothing with soap and water. Fruits and vegetables should also be washed.

The city is experiencing one of its worst mosquito seasons in recent memory, prompting concern from officials like U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, who has called on the EPA to help the city disperse the swarms.

The presence of West Nile, too, has surged this year, with 188 groups of mosquitos across the five boroughs testing positive at one point in July. At the same time last year, there were just 9 positive groups.

The Department of Health attributed this spike in cases to "recent heavy rains," like Tropical Storm Elsa, that cause mosquito populations to rise "significantly," since the insects breed in standing water — another consequence of increasingly severe, climate change-induced weather changes.

The city routinely sprays neighborhoods with pesticides to cull the mosquito populations, with recent targets including Upper Manhattan and northeastern Queens.

Updated 4:55 p.m. Monday.

Patch reporter Kayla Levy contributed.

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