For the 27th year, New York City continues its toxic pesticide spray “program” to “control” West Nile Virus
The New York City pesticide spraying program was initiated by Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 1999 which he ran from his bunker on the 23rd floor of World Trade Center #7 under the auspices of the Office of Emergency Management. The “program” has continued under Mayors Michael Bloomberg, Bill de Blasio, Eric Adams, and now Zohran Mamdani.
This pesticide spray program has never been publicly reviewed by any city agency since its inception.
The NYC Department of Health continues to issue to itself waivers from the provisions of the City’s anti-pesticide laws, thereby setting into motion the spraying of toxic pesticides in residential areas and public parks and streets!
The No Spray Coalition filed a lawsuit against the city and after 7 years in 2006 a federal judge ruled that the city was in violation of the Clean Water Act. By 2007, the City negotiated a settlement with the No Spray Coalition.
NO SPRAY COALITION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT: CITY ADMITTED PESTICIDES HAVE ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS, MORE:
As part of the the 2007 decision in the No Spray Coalition’s lawsuit, the City admitted, signed and in writing, that the pesticides:
- may remain in the environment beyond their intended purpose
- cause adverse health effects
- kill mosquitoes’ natural predators (such as dragonflies, bats, frogs and birds)
- increase mosquitoes’ resistance to the sprays, and
- are not approved for direct application to waterways.
Stay Indoors During Pesticide Spraying
The pesticide spraying on Wednesday, August 19th will take place between 8:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. Stay indoors, keep your pets indoors, keep your windows closed.
Press Release from the New York City Department of Health:
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE Alister F. Martin, MD, MPP Commissioner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2026
NYC HEALTH DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO INCREASED WEST NILE VIRUS MOSQUITO ACTIVITY WITH TARGETED TREATMENT IN BROOKLYN
Truck-based Adulticiding in Brooklyn Planned for August 17 and 19 Following Mosquito Surveillance Findings
EPA-Approved Treatment Targets Adult Mosquitoes While Minimizing Risk to People, Pets, and Wildlife
Health Department Encourages New Yorkers to Take Steps to Prevent Mosquito Bites During Peak Mosquito Season
NEW YORK — The New York City Health Department will conduct targeted mosquito control treatments in parts of Brooklyn on Monday, August 17, and Wednesday, August 19, following increased activity of mosquitos with West Nile virus and elevated adult mosquito populations identified through the Health Department’s mosquito surveillance program.
Health Department trucks will spray low concentrations of pesticide between 8:30pm and 6am the following morning to reduce adult mosquito populations. If weather conditions prevent spraying, the treatments will be rescheduled for Tuesday, August 18, and Thursday, August 20, during the same hours.
The Health Department’s mosquito surveillance program routinely monitors mosquito activity across the five boroughs and tests mosquito pools for West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne pathogens. The Department uses surveillance findings and environmental conditions to determine when and where mosquito control measures are warranted. Factors considered include the presence and abundance of mosquito species associated with West Nile virus transmission, mosquito infection rates, weather conditions favorable to mosquito activity, population density, and presence and use of parks and other green spaces.
Sixty West Nile virus-positive mosquito pools have been identified within the August 17 treatment area and forty positive pools within the August 19 treatment area.
“Mosquito surveillance tells us where West Nile virus activity is increasing and helps us determine where intervention can have the greatest impact,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. “These targeted treatments are one part of our broader prevention work, and New Yorkers can help by protecting themselves from mosquito bites and removing standing water around their homes.”
The following maps identify the treatment areas:
The Health Department will apply Duet, an EPA-registered mosquito control product, using truck-mounted equipment. The risks of pesticides applied by the Health Department for mosquito control are low for people and pets. Individuals who are particularly sensitive to spray ingredients may experience temporary eye or throat irritation or a mild rash. People with respiratory conditions may wish to stay indoors, whenever possible, to minimize exposure during the application period. Air conditioners can remain on, but air conditioner vents may be closed or set to the recirculate function as an added precaution.
New Yorkers can reduce their risk of mosquito bites by using an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus; wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors in areas with high mosquito activity and making sure windows and doors have properly fitted screens.
New Yorkers should also eliminate standing water around their homes, including water that collects in buckets, flowerpots, birdbaths, tarps, gutters, and other containers. Swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs should be cleaned and chlorinated and covered when not in use. Standing water can be reported by calling 311.
Maps of the treatment areas and additional information about mosquito control and West Nile virus are available at nyc.gov/health/wnv.
See this post from 2024 for more detailed information about NYC’s longstanding (too long) toxic pesticide spraying program begun in 1999.
Remembering Mitchel Cohen (above) who carried the No Spray torch for so long (from the beginning) and missing his presence for the first year of pesticide spraying after his death. He is with us in spirit.
