Pasco County Mosquito Control District helping in Hillsborough neighborhoods

Hillsborough County residents will notice more mosquito treatments by helicopter this week during the daytime hours as County officials work to stop the spread of dengue fever.

To supplement these treatments and help eliminate mosquito larvae, Pasco County's Mosquito Control District (PCMCD) will be treating by day with a low-flying helicopter.

Aerial operations are planned to begin at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 16 to Sept 17 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 9:30 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 do their part 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 maintains an online resource for residents for residents to view where treatments are occurring.