Contractors helping with treatment missions
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Nov. 3, 2026) - Hillsborough County residents will notice more helicopters flying low this week treating neighborhoods during day and nighttime hours as the County works to stop the spread of dengue fever.
Helicopters will be flying over neighborhoods throughout Hillsborough County Nov. 4-6 as the County works to protect communities from mosquito-borne diseases.
Helicopters flying low in the daytime are treating neighborhoods for mosquito larvae. They are working to break the life cycle of the mosquitoes using 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.
Daytime treatment
The low-flying helicopters are applying this bacterium to standing water in neighborhoods to prevent mosquitoes from breeding there - particularly mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus.
Helicopters will be treating for mosquito larvae during the daytime in the following communities:
Central Tampa
- North boundary: Sligh Avenue
- South boundary: I-275
- East boundary: North 50th Street
- West boundary: North 22nd Street
Palm River
- North Boundary: Selmon Expressway
- South Boundary: Alafia River
- East Boundary: U.S. 301
- West Boundary: Hillsborough Bay (Body of water)
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
Nighttime treatment
Contractors and Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services will conduct aerial applications of Dibrom insecticide to control adult mosquitoes during the nights this week, between sunset and midnight, Wednesday through Friday.
The contractors will use airplanes at an altitude of 300 feet to treat about 225,000 acres across Hillsborough County from Carrollwood to FishHawk Ranch. The areas will be treated with an application rate of .66 ounces per acre.
The treatment is a response to this year's unusually high number of cases of dengue fever in humans and in the mosquito population.
The communities that will be treated for adult mosquitoes by airplane this week include:
- Carrollwood
- Town 'N Country
- South Tampa
- USF Area
- Temple Terrace
- Seminole Heights
- East Tampa
- Downtown Tampa
- Davis Islands/Harbour Island
- Thonotosassa
- East Lake
- Mango/Seffner
- Palm River
- Progress Village
- Gibsonton
- Riverview
- Apollo Beach
- Plant City
- Dover
- Brandon
- Bloomingdale
- Boyette
- Fish Hawk
County Mosquito Management Services is urging residents across Hillsborough County to take action to protect themselves from 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 activity 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.
Tires discarded near a home or business can be an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, so Hillsborough Solid Waste customers can dispose of up to 12 tires a year at no cost at any of Hillsborough County's five Solid Waste collection sites.
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.
Mosquito control services are funded in part by Hillsborough County property tax dollars.
Residents can sign up to be notified 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.
About Hillsborough County
Established in 1834, Hillsborough County government provides essential services to a diverse and growing community under the leadership of a publicly elected, seven-member Board of County Commissioners. Services include water, solid waste and recycling, parks and recreation, public safety, infrastructure, pet resources, economic development, environmental stewardship and a wide range of community programs and public services.
Hillsborough County services are paid for in part by property taxes. Learn more at HCFL.gov/PropertyTax.