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McAuliffe: CMMCP partnership ‘win-win’ for town as larvicide drives down mosquito density

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project is set to begin its third season conducting larval control for mosquito populations in Hopkinton later this month.

In a notice sent to the town, CMMCP announced it will start its 2026 program on or about March 26. “This program will be a continuation of the practices and procedures that have been used in past years,” according to the notice.

The project plans to apply larval control to “low-lying swampy areas.” Health Director Shaun McAuliffe noted that CMMCP plans to apply larvicide in bodies of water accessible to roadways using either pucks or pellets. The larvicide itself is organic is virtually non-toxic to humans, as well as plants and animals.

“It contains a natural fungus that basically eats mosquito larva,” McAuliffe said.

Starting this process in the spring will help disrupt the natural breeding cycle of the mosquitos, he explained. McAuliffe added that, given the differences in the male and female mosquito breeding cycles, CMMCP will continue applying the larvicide throughout the season to keep populations low.

“All we need to do is disrupt a male or female breeding cycle once a month and we stand a better chance of having fewer mosquitos in an area,” said McAuliffe.

Areas CMMCP will target include around the Alprilla Farm area, Saddle Hill, Whitehall and South Legacy Farms, as well as certain streets in town. Alprilla Farm and Saddle Hill are key locations to target, as they are areas where West Nile virus and equine encephalitis virus (EEE) historically have been identified.

The town has not seen positive pools around Alprilla Farm since 2019. And while nearby communities experienced incidences of West Nile virus and EEE last year, the diseases did not appear to cross over into Hopkinton.

McAuliffe said that both the Health Department and CMMCP have identified drops in the overall mosquito density in Hopkinton as a result of both the larvicide and regular spraying. “I would argue that’s why we haven’t had to restrict summertime activities or cancel events because of EEE or other issues being present in town,” McAuliffe said.

“My job is to reduce the risk of people getting a zoonotic disease,” he added. “This program seems to be working to reduce that risk.”

Working with CMMCP has generated other benefits to the town. McAuliffe said the project has installed riprap in drainage areas and removed tires that could become breeding sites for mosquitos. He claimed CMMCP removed 200 tires for free from the Fruit Street site of Baypath Humane Society’s new shelter when construction began. The organization reportedly is providing beaver control with the installation of beaver diverters also.

“It’s really been a win-win,” said McAuliffe. “The more we work together and partner together, Hopkinton is realizing other benefits.”

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

Hopkinton Fire crews responded to a house fire on Hayward Street on Sunday night that displaced the occupants and resulted in an injured firefighter.

This week’s Police Log features one arrest, along with reports of loud noises at EMC Park, an altercation between a driver and cyclists, and a check on the vehicle of a resident allegedly making threats to a judge.

The latest Arts Residency highlights musician Phil Antoniades, who has played drums for regional acts and built companies supporting independent artists.

This week’s Senior Snippets features information on an energy affordability seminar, a program about generative AI and an exploration of Memphis music with the Retro Polatin Duo.

Town meetings tonight include the School Committee (7), which will be joined by the Select Board.

Photo of the Day

Third grader Veylan Padmalingam looks for an opening during the Mary Korbey 3v3 Basketball Tournament on Sunday. Click here for more photos.PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO