NYC Plans Overnight Mosquito Spray in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens

Starting next week, the NYC Health Department will roll out a series of overnight mosquito‑control treatments in parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. The effort is part of an ongoing campaign to trim the adult mosquito population and, in turn, reduce the chance of West Nile virus spreading.

In Manhattan, crews are slated to hit the streets on Monday, Sept. 21, from about 11:30 p.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning. If rain or a storm messes with the schedule, the operation will simply shift to Tuesday, Sept. 22, using the same late‑night window.

A second wave will focus on neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens on Wednesday, Sept. 23, beginning around 8:30 p.m. and running through 6 a.m. Thursday. Again, Thursday, Sept. 24, serves as the backup date if weather interferes.

The department will be using truck‑mounted sprayers loaded with Duet, an EPA‑registered pesticide specifically designed for mosquito control. Officials stress that the chemical poses minimal risk to people and pets, though a few sensitive folks might notice a brief eye or throat irritation—or maybe a faint rash. If you have asthma or other respiratory issues, it might be wise to stay indoors while the spray is happening.

New Yorkers can also protect themselves by applying EPA‑approved insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants when they’re outside after dusk, keeping window and door screens in good repair, and—perhaps most importantly—eliminating standing water around their homes. Any persistent puddles or containers that collect rain can be reported to 311.

For exact maps of the treatment zones and more details, visit the city’s health page at nyc.gov/health/wnv.