Pasco County Mosquito Control District helping in Hillsborough neighborhoods
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Sept. 9, 2026) - Many Hillsborough County residents will notice mosquito treatments by helicopter for the remainder of the week, both day and night, as County officials work to stop the spread of dengue fever.
Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services will be treating for adult mosquitoes Wednesday night, Sept. 9, and Pasco County Mosquito Control District (PCMCD) will be providing specialized aerial mosquito-control assistance on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 10-11.
Wednesday Night Schedule
Hillsborough County will treat by air Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 8:30 p.m. until 6 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10. Wednesday night's aerial adulticide missions will be in the following areas:
Town 'N Country
- North Boundary: Linebaugh Avenue
- South Boundary: Memorial Highway
- East Boundary: Veterans Expressway
- West Boundary: Montague Street
Seminole Heights/East Tampa
- North Boundary: Busch Boulevard
- South Boundary: I-275/I-4
- East Boundary: North 50th Street
- West Boundary: Armenia Avenue
The missions will be flown by helicopter at an altitude of 150 feet, with an application rate of .66 ounces per acre.
- First alternate spray date: Sept. 10, 2026
- Second alternate spray date: Sept. 11, 2026
Thursday and Friday Schedule
To supplement these treatments and help eliminate mosquito larvae, Pasco County's PCMCD will be treating during the daytime with a low-flying helicopter.
Weather permitting, aerial operations are planned to begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 10 to specifically target mosquito larvae across most of central Tampa from Busch Boulevard down to San Miguel Street in South
Tampa and from Manhattan Avenue to 50th Street in East Tampa. Neighborhoods like Seminole Heights, Ybor City, West Tampa, and Palma Ceia will be treated.
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 see:
- An orange and charcoal-colored mosquito-management helicopter operating during daylight hours, beginning at 9 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: Busch Boulevard
- South Boundary: San Miguel Street/Selmon Expressway
- East Boundary: North 50th Street
- West Boundary:Manhattan Avenue
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 Services 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 Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County for surveillance, education, and treatment in the impacted area.
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.
Hillsborough County also maintains an online resource for residents to view where treatments are occurring.