Ground Spraying In New Bedford

Targeted ground spraying for mosquitoes is scheduled to take place between 2:00 am and sunrise Thursday morning.

While conditions look good, Bristol County Mosquito Control Project Superintendent Priscilla Matton tells WBSM News that certain conditions must be met in order for spraying to be undertaken.

"If the temperatures are below 58 degrees...then we're not able to make the application," said Matton "similar if it's raining or too windy, then we may call off the application."

Matton says this round of spraying takes place in a year where officials have not detected any instances of Eastern equine encephalitis or West Nile virus in Massachusetts.

The population has also been kept fairly low thanks to the dry weather we've experienced this summer.

However, Matton says that can change.

"Since we have not had any significant rainfall the populations have come down quite a bit so we're a little bit below average," said Matton "but if we get some significant rain I expect the populations to increase pretty significantly."

ity officials say this round of spraying will target areas including Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Tabor, Hazelwood Park, Riverside Park, Clasky Park, Ashley Park, the Poor Farm Area and Custom House Square.