Lee County Mosquito Control District helping with contractors in East Lake, Bloomingdale, Riverview

Hillsborough County, Fla. (Sept. 28, 2026) – Hillsborough County residents will notice more helicopters flying low this week treating neighborhoods during daytime hours as the County works to stop the spread of dengue fever.

Lee County’s Mosquito Control District (LCMCD) will treat the East Lake neighborhood during daytime hours with a low-flying helicopter to supplement the work of Hillsborough County Mosquito Management and help combat mosquito larvae. 

The boundaries of this treatment operation are:  

East Lake 

  • North Boundary: Hillsborough River (body of water) 
  • South Boundary: Columbus Drive, East Broadway Avenue 
  • East Boundary: Tampa Bypass Canal (body of water) 
  • West Boundary: North 56th Street/U.S. 41/North 50th Street 

The East Lake operation is expected to require only one day to complete, depending upon weather, wind conditions, aviation considerations, and other operational factors. 

Hillsborough County Public Works also has hired a contractor to conduct similar daytime larvicide operations in Riverview and Bloomingdale.

The contractor will treat the Riverview and Bloomingdale communities during daytime hours with a low-flying helicopter to supplement the work of Hillsborough County Mosquito Management and help combat mosquito larvae.  

The boundaries of this treatment operation are:  

Riverview/Bloomingdale

  • North Boundary: Bloomingdale Avenue  
  • South Boundary: Alafia River, McMullen Loop   
  • East Boundary: Lithia Pinecrest Road  
  • West Boundary: South 78th Street   

Both operations will use an aerial application of 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.  

These operations will look and sound substantially different from other mosquito-control activities East Lake, Riverview, and Bloomingdale residents may have previously observed.  

The East Lake operation is expected to require only one day to complete, depending upon weather, wind conditions, aviation considerations, and other operational factors. 

The Riverview and Bloomingdale operation will take two or three days depending on conditions. 

While neighboring counties have donated their time to help Hillsborough County treat by air, the cost of treatment products and contractor services is paid for with taxpayer dollars. 

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

  • A 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

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.  

Residents can sign up to be notified of where localized aerial treatments are occurring in their neighborhood. Hillsborough County also maintains an online resource for residents to view where treatments are occurring.   

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