Worcester mosquito truck spraying tentatively July 7/14/21/28: request & opt out
Worcester MA – The City of Worcester says the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP) is tentatively planning truck-mounted mosquito-control responses in the city on July 7, 14, 21, and 28. The spray schedule is weather- and mosquito-threshold dependent, and the city notes that no aerial spraying is planned at this time.
Tentative Worcester dates: what’s set, what can change
According to the City of Worcester, CMMCP personnel are tentatively scheduled to be in Worcester on July 7, 14, 21, and 28 to respond to mosquito-related concerns from residents.
Two important caveats: (1) the city says spraying on any given date depends on weather conditions and current mosquito thresholds, and (2) CMMCP says the scheduled spray areas and locations are subject to change based on those conditions and local mosquito activity.
Can residents request limited-area service on those July dates?
The city’s announcement says requests for pesticide spraying in limited areas using truck-mounted equipment may be considered on those dates. Residents can use CMMCP’s service request process found on its website, or call 508-393-3055 Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
In other words: this is different from a statewide “opt out” for wide-area applications. Limited-area requests are tied to the Worcester July spray window; statewide exclusions are designed for broader pesticide application programs.
How to get daily (near-real-time) spray-area updates
Even with the July dates on your calendar, residents should confirm whether CMMCP plans to spray in (or near) their specific area on a given day.
The City of Worcester says CMMCP will post the scheduled areas and locations each day after 3:30 p.m. on its website and phone system. CMMCP also notes that the tentative spray areas are posted on its phone system after 3:30 p.m., and residents can press “0” at the prompt to hear a recorded message.
The city also says it will notify residents in specific areas via email, social media, and text—so residents who want those alerts should make sure they are registered for ALERTWorcester with an up-to-date email and/or phone number.
If you want broader “no spray” coverage, use the statewide exclusion process
If your goal is to exclude your property from wide-area pesticide application (not just request limited-area help during a Worcester date), Worcester directs residents to Massachusetts’ Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) process.
CMMCP says the statewide exclusion request process is governed under Massachusetts’ pesticide-exclusion rules and is handled through MDAR (not via requests to the CMMCP office). CMMCP also summarizes key practical points residents should know:
- No deadline to file an exclusion (it can be done any time of year).
- Effective date: exclusions go into effect 14 days after the date the request is made.
- Expiration: exclusions expire on December 31 of the calendar year you filed.
CMMCP also provides marking instructions for approved “No Spray” exclusions. It says residents must use approved marking methods, including placing white plastic or aluminum pie plates (minimum 9 inches) with “No Spray” written in permanent marker. Plates must be placed on trees, stakes, or poles visible from the street, at least every 50 feet along the property boundary adjacent to the road, and no more than 5 feet from the road.
How to prep your home if spraying is near
The City of Worcester advises residents to observe these precautions if their area is being sprayed:
- Close street-facing windows and turn off any “outside air” settings on air conditioners.
- Keep pets inside between sunset and midnight.
- Keep children away from areas where truck-mounted applicators are operating.
- Remain inside during application and for 15–20 minutes afterward.
- Wash vegetables from home gardens after spraying and before consuming them.
The city also encourages mosquito-bite prevention with the “5 Ds”: Dress, use DEET appropriately, focus on dawn and dusk, drain standing water weekly, and support mosquito barriers like screens.
Finally, the city notes accidental exposure is not expected to cause health concerns in most people, but anyone with chemical sensitivities (or who believes spraying may aggravate a preexisting condition) should consult a physician and take special measures to avoid exposure.
Bottom line for residents
Mark your calendar for Worcester’s tentatively planned July truck-spraying dates (July 7, 14, 21, and 28), but check daily updates after 3:30 p.m. so you know whether your specific area is scheduled to be sprayed that day. If you need property-level “no spray” coverage for wide-area applications, use the statewide MDAR exclusion request process—remember that exclusions go into effect 14 days after the date the request is made and last through December 31 of the year filed.
Sources
- City of Worcester announcement: CMMCP July 2026 availability announced (tentative dates, limited-area requests, resident precautions/opt-out pointer)
- Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP): 2026 Spray Schedules (how schedules work + daily updates/check method)
- Mass.gov (MDAR): Request for Exclusion of Wide Area Application of Pesticides (exclusion request form PDF)
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