BY DAVID J. LOPEZ | [email protected]
1:54 PM EDT, September 15, 2008

Weather permitting, Suffolk County plans to treat south Shirley, Mastic Beach and Old Mastic Tuesday night to reduce mosquito infestation.

The Public Works Department will ground-spray with the pesticide Scourge, or resmethrin, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. on all streets south of Alcolade Drive West, Chanel Drive, Mastic Road and Riverside Avenue, from he Forge River to Bellport Bay, including Smith Point Park, campgrounds and the marina but excluding wetlands and areas adjacent to the water.

The health department advises that it is unlikely anyone will suffer adverse health effects from spraying. Nevertheless, children and pregnant women should avoid exposure when practical.

If possible, they should either remain inside or avoid the area whenever spraying takes place and for about 30 minutes afterward.

For further information, call the Suffolk Vector Control Division at 631-852-4270 or the spraying hotline at 631-852-4939. On the Web, go to the Suffolk County site and click on "mosquito spraying."