State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board

• Mosquito control projects and districts

• Process for municipalities to join or withdraw from a mosquito control project or district

• Mosquito control methods in Massachusetts

• Why mosquito control? 

Larviciding

West Nile Virus  (WNV) Larviciding Training and Permit Program

One meaningful approach to impact mosquitoes that transmit West Nile Virus (WNV) is to treat catch basins with an appropriate larvicide. The conditions found in the catch basin environment are conducive to the breeding of mosquitoes in the genus Culex.

Organized mosquito control districts or projects target these particular kinds of mosquitoes and treat catch basins found within their member communities as part of their WNV prevention strategy. Of course, the mosquito control personnel who carry out this work hold a current and valid commercial certification or commercial applicator license.  The State Pesticide Control Act and the pesticide regulations 333 CMR require this licensing process to legally use pesticides. 

With the spread of WNV throughout the state and nation, a number of municipalities who are not members of organized mosquito control districts or projects sought to take advantage of a program offered by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) - Pesticide Bureau.  

MDAR instituted a program that would train and test municipal employees leading to a permit so that they could legally use larvicides in catch basins. The process was an abbreviated form of the process mentioned above due to the fact that the individual would only be using pesticides in a limited way.  In fact, the permit only allows an employee of a specific community in which they are employed, to apply a dry formulation of a larvicide’s(s) to the catch basins. It does not allow them to apply any other pesticides for any other reason or location.

This permit program has helped communities outside of the cities and towns covered by a mosquito control district or project to implement some kind of WNV prevention plan.  The program has been a success and even has helped communities who are already members of organized mosquito control districts or projects to supplement their efforts too.  Finally, this program has complemented the statewide efforts of the state Department of Public Health regarding West Nile Virus prevention. This program has continued to date. The permits issued last year have been reissued this year.

For any city or town wishing to participate in the larvicide permit program, or add staff to those who received a permit last year, COMPLETE AND FAX the WNV pre-registration application to Mark S. Buffone at 617-626-1850.

West Nile Virus (WNV) Larvicide Program Requirements

West Nile Virus Training Registration Form [PDF]

2005 Guidance Letter to Municipalities [PDF]

WNV Larvicide Use Report Forms

Pesticide Bureau

RELATED LINKS

• Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health West Nile Virus page

• National Pesticide Information Center West Nile Virus Resource Guide

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)