Information concerning Hillsborough County's mosquito population control products
Airborne Mosquito Population Control Products
Hillsborough County uses two different types of mosquito population control products to help reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illness by reducing the overall mosquito population in an area. The products used target either the adult flying mosquito or the larvae that can be found in standing water.
Adult Mosquito Product - Used During Night Sprays
Hillsborough County Mosquito Management uses a product called Dibrom to kill adult mosquitoes when treating for adult mosquitoes by helicopter. This product kills adult mosquitoes on contact, preventing them from laying eggs and continuing to reproduce in your area.
Dibrom is an insecticide that has been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since 1959 for use in the United States and is applied as an ultra-low volume (ULV) spray by aircraft-mounted sprayers that creates small droplets that come in contact with airborne mosquitoes. ULV applications involve small quantities of the pesticide in relation to the size of the area to be treated.
When applied in accordance with the recommended amount and the safety precautions on the label, Dibrom can be used to kill mosquitoes without endangering human health.
Dibrom is not harmful to pets, fish, birds, or livestock if used in accordance with the label for mosquito control. In order to minimize exposure, you may want to keep pets indoors during spraying.
Mosquito Larvae Product - Used During Daytime Sprays
When spraying for mosquito larvae by helicopter, Hillsborough County Mosquito Management uses an EPA-approved bacteria-based product called VectoBac WDG, which the key ingredient is Bti, named after the naturally occurring Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis bacteria.
The bacteria contain spores that produce toxins that specifically target and only affect the larvae of the mosquito, blackfly, and fungus gnat that makes them unable to digest food. Bti has no toxicity to people, and there is no need to leave areas being treated. You may notice some white residue after a treatment in your area that can be easily washed away with water. Allowing the product to remain on your vehicle for extended periods may require additional scrubbing to remove.