Pasco County Mosquito Control District Helping in Hillsborough Neighborhoods Early Thursday

Hillsborough County, Fla. (Sept. 2, 2026) – Pasco County Mosquito Control District (PCMCD) will be providing specialized aerial mosquito-control assistance in coordination with Hillsborough County Mosquito Management and public-health partners Thursday morning, Sept. 3.

Weather permitting, aerial operations are planned to begin at 8 a.m. to specifically target mosquito larvae within the Wellswood, Riverside Heights, and East Tampa neighborhoods of the City of Tampa. The aerial application will be liquid Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), which is a naturally occurring bacterium. The product does not harm people, pets, fish, birds or beneficial insects, and it breaks down naturally in the environment.

This operation will look and sound substantially different from other mosquito-control activities area residents may have previously observed.

Residents and businesses within and around the treatment area may observe:

  • An orange and charcoal-colored mosquito-control helicopter operating during daylight hours, beginning at 8 a.m.
  • The helicopter flying at low altitude, generally just above trees, structures, and other obstacles where safe and operationally appropriate
  • Multiple straight, parallel flight passes over residential and commercial neighborhoods
  • Repeated passes over or near individual properties as the aircraft progresses through the treatment grid
  • Significant and readily noticeable helicopter noise associated with low-altitude operations
  • Visible application of a liquid mosquito larvicide over the designated treatment area

The boundaries of this treatment operation are:

North Boundary: Hillsborough Avenue
South Boundary: I-4/I-275
East Boundary: North 30th Street
West Boundary: Armenia Avenue

Wellswood area treatment boundaries for September 3, 2026 mosquito treatment

The operation is expected to require approximately two days to complete, depending upon weather, wind conditions, aviation considerations, and other operational factors.

Hillsborough County Mosquito Management is urging residents across Tampa to take action to protect themselves against mosquitoes. Mosquito Management crews are increasing treatments by air and ground because mosquito traps in many neighborhoods are showing dengue fever virus activity in the mosquito populations. The Mosquito Management team has worked closely with FDOH Hillsborough for surveillance, education, and treatment in the impacted area.

Residents can do their part as well by following the 3 Ds:

  • Dress light-colored, long-sleeved clothing with closed-toed shoes.
  • Defend using an insect repellent with a CDC-recommended ingredient such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
  • Dump or cover standing water.

For information, contact Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services at (813) 635-5400.

Hillsborough County maintains an online resource for residents to view where treatments are occurring.