Practical advice for Hamilton residents on aerial treatment days
Air conditioning
Foray 48B does not affect the performance; wear rate or operational life of air conditioning units.
While breathing in Foray 48B is not possible, if you are concerned about Btk getting into a building through the air conditioning system, the air vent should be set to "recycle" rather than "fresh air" during treatment .
You should carry out your usual maintenance programme at regular intervals.
Cleaning Foray 48B off your vehicle
Foray 48B is a water based product and can be washed off car paintwork (even when dry) with soapy water and a car wash sponge. The sooner you wash it off the easier it will be.
The spray may need a small amount of time to absorb water to dissolve and it is therefore recommended to wash cars in the shade so that the water does not evaporate too quickly. Rinse off soapy water and dry with a soft towel or cloth.
Clothing
Although Foray 48B will not damage clothing, we do not recommend putting clothing out to dry when an aerial operation is planned. The spray is sticky and some people don’t like the smell, which may mean clothing needs to be rewashed.
Outdoor equipment/play equipment
Any Foray 48B residue on outdoor or play equipment is safe (unless you have a specific health concern) and will breakdown in sunlight or can be rinsed away with water. However, as Foray 48B is sticky you may like to wash down children’s play equipment and outdoor tables and barbeques with hot soapy water as usual before use.
As gypsy moth can lay its eggs on all kinds of surfaces, if you are moving out of the vegetation controlled zone it is vital that outdoor/play equipment is carefully checked for signs of gypsy moth first.
Pets
The active ingredient in Foray 48B is only harmful to caterpillars and so is not a threat to your pets. If you have any concerns for your pet’s health you should seek veterinary advice as you normally would.
The low flying aircraft may frighten pets so, you may want to keep pets inside during aerial operations to minimise distress.
Rainwater collection
There are standard methods of ensuring the safety of untreated water for human use. You should be sure that these are in place. Foray 48B will break down either on the roof or in the organic layer in the roof water collection tanks over the course of a few days or weeks.
- There is no need to wash down your roof or clean water tanks after an aerial operation. Although it is unnecessary, residents might like to disconnect the tank from the roof until after the next rain starts
- It is routinely recommended that roof water supplies have a first flush diverter to reduce contamination getting into the tank
- It is routinely recommended that drinking water supplies should have treatment
- Normal maintenance should be continued
Schools and pre-schools
Outdoor activities may be relocated indoors when an aerial operation is known to be occurring during school hours. Normal hygiene practices such, as hand washing should be reinforced.
An information pack, including a video has been made available to schools and early childhood facilities. If schools or early childhood facilities would like further information, they should contact 0800 809 966.
Swimming pools
It is recommended that normal pool maintenance is observed, which includes:
- Putting covers in place when the pool is not in use
- Maintaining adequate levels of chlorine. Recommended levels as set by the Australian and New Zealand Standard are 1.0 – 2.0g per cubic metre.
Fruit and Vegetables
Foray 48B has a nil withholding period for use in horticulture. This means that a delay between treating with Foray 48B and eating vegetables or fruit is not required. Additionally, the spray breaks down in sunlight.
However, as with any fresh garden food it is advisable to wash it before eating it.
Page last updated: 30 April 2008