Residents who live around 84th Street have been plagued by a particularly nasty and persistent mosquito infestation for more than a year now. As of last summer, people who lived on 84th between West End and Riverside were sleeping under mosquito nets, and children had to be taken to the hospital for nasty welts from the mosquito bites. It turned out that the mosquitoes were a particularly nasty and hardy breed (Culex pipiens molestus for those keeping score) that have an inglorious history. They actually terrorized Londoners during the Blitz, the bastards.

Residents were getting very little help from the city in combating the sewer-born infestation until an article on West Side Rag and advocacy by State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal. The city eventually began flushing the sewers, which appeared to alleviate the problems. But mosquito reports have continued to flood in to us and Rosenthal, even in the fall and winter. And the problem appeared to have spread; odd mosquito reports (as in not your average mosquito) were coming in from all over the neighborhood. Worse yet, the city stopped taking 311 complaints about it.

Now Rosenthal is holding a town hall meeting to air the public’s complaints, learn more about pest control and find out how city officials plan to stay on top of the problem. The meeting will be held on May 17 and you have to RSVP to attend.

Here’s the release we just got from Rosenthal’s office:

Many of you have voiced frustration over an unprecedented mosquito infestation problem here on the Upper West Side and in other parts of the City.  Unfortunately, the situation has existed for more than a year with little reprieve.  One can only imagine that this mosquito problem will likely intensify as we enter into breeding season.  With the warm weather of summer fast approaching, I thought it would be useful to provide you with a forum to get your questions answered by experts in the field as well as by the various agencies responsible for responding to the problem.

I will hosting a Mosquito Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, May 17, 2012, from 7 – 9pm at Goddard Riverside Community Center, located at 593 Columbus Avenue at West 88th Street.  Specialists in the field of pest management and representatives from various City and State agencies will be on hand to address your concerns.

Please feel free to share this message with any friends, family or neighbors who may be experiencing similar problems.  If you have any questions about the town hall meeting, mosquitoes or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff at 212.873.6368 or rosenthall@assembly.state.ny.us.

Space is limited.
You must RSVP to 212.873.6368 or rosenthall@assembly.state.ny.us.