Residents across Hillsborough County may notice a new tool in the County’s toolbox for treating mosquitoes and keeping residents safe.
Hillsborough’s two Mosquito Management helicopters have been outfitted to treat for adult mosquitoes as well as larva. Until this year, Mosquito Management Services treated for adult mosquitoes by air exclusively with an airplane through a contract.
Residents may notice how low the mosquito helicopters fly. At a height of approximately 150 feet, the County’s treatment helicopters are much easier to hear coming than in the past.
Mosquito Management uses certified treatment at recommended doses to kill only mosquitoes and leave all other creatures safe. The dosage Hillsborough County uses when treating for mosquitoes is less than one ounce of treatment per acre, dispersed in tiny droplets across the treatment area. This dosage is set and monitored by the Florida Department of Agriculture.
When the treatment helicopter goes overhead, residents may experience an annoying or irritating smell, but there is no health threat to them or their pets. The treatment is calibrated to only kill tiny mosquitoes.
Hillsborough County has used helicopters for years to treat waterways and coastlines with larvicide to eliminate mosquito larva before they can grow up to become flying, biting insects.
This year is the first time that the helicopter fleet has been equipped to disperse the adulticide to kill dangerous adult mosquitoes.
Hillsborough’s “Little Blue Bird” is a five-seat 1995 Bell 206B3 Jet Ranger. The fleet’s "Big Red Bird” is a seven-seat 2008 Bell 206L4 Long Ranger. Daytime missions are flown by a single pilot at an altitude of 20 to 300 feet at 20 to 90 MPH. Night missions are flown by a single pilot with night vision goggles at an altitude of 150 feet at 90 MPH.
The new equipment is just in time to help.
Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services is urging residents across Hillsborough County to take action to protect themselves against mosquitoes.
Mosquito Management crews are increasing treatments by air and ground because the County’s mosquito traps in many neighborhoods are showing dengue fever virus in the mosquito populations.
The County is working closely with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County for surveillance, education, and treatment in the impacted areas.
Residents can help as well by following the 3 Ds:
- Dress in 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.