Frequently Asked Questions:  Aerial Spraying

Why are aerial sprays conducted?

When adult mosquitoes are observed in high numbers - detected in monitoring traps or by inspectors - or when an outbreak of mosquito-borne disease occurs.

Where is aerial spraying done?
In western portions of Palm Beach County west of Military Trail where mosquito populations are most prevalent in wet environments and for mosquitoes that are most active at dusk.

What time of day is aerial spraying done?
At night when most mosquitoes are most active, when air temperature is lowest allowing spray droplets to reach close to the ground where mosquitoes are flying, and when honey bees are back in their hives.

How do I know when aerial spraying will be conducted?
Palm Beach County issues press releases to local media prior to conducting aerial spraying. In addition, there is an Aerial Spray Notification Hotline at (561) 642-8775 with up to date information. As a public service, advanced notification for chemically sensitive individuals can be provided with documentation from a physician.

 Mosquito Life Cycle

Depending on the species of mosquito, eggs can be laid in water on rafts
or  on damp ground where water will later cover them. Within a day or two, the eggs hatch into larvae.

LARVA
Referred to as “wrigglers”, larva come to the water surface to breathe. They molt (shed skin) four times during the next several days, growing rapidly between each molt.

PUPA
In this stage, the mosquito grows inside the pupa, becoming fully developed within two days. Pupa cannot eat and breathes through tubes on its back.

ADULT 
Newly emerged adults rest on the surface of the water until strong enough to fly away. 

Are Mosquitoes Breeding in Your Yard?

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THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT CONTAINER MOSQUITOES FROM BREEDING IS TO REMOVE STANDING WATER IN CONTAINERS AROUND YOUR PROPERTY

Bromeliads - Did You Know?

 

Popular in landscaping but MOSQUITOES LOVE THEM TOO!

Certain types (like the one pictured) hold water in each of the leaf pockets. This is the perfect place for a female mosquito to lay eggs - loads of water that is shaded from the sun.

The most common mosquitoes found in bromeliads in Palm Beach County are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus and can transmit Dengue, Chikungunya, Yellow Fever, and Zika.

MOSQUITO-PROOF YOUR BROMELIADS!

Flush each leaf pocket with clean water every 3 to 4 days OR

Treat each leaf pocket with granular Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis  found at most home improvement stores OR

Consider removing bromeliads and replacing with another tropical or native plant that does not hold water

 Mosquito Facts

There are over 3,000 species of mosquito world-wide. They ALL depend on a source of water to complete their lifecycle.

Florida has the greatest variety of mosquitoes, more than 80 species. 

Breeding places and characteristics of mosquitoes varies:

Container Breeders

• Live in close association with humans.
• Stay close to breeding sites.
• Lay eggs in containers that hold water - even a bottle cap.
• Active during the day. (NOT at dusk)
• Aerial & ground insecticide spraying has little effect for controlling.
• Best way to control is to remove water from containers.
• Species include: Aedes ssp. that carry Zika virus, Dengue, Chikungunya, Yellow Fever.

 Flood Water Breeders

• Live and breed in ditches, swales, lakes, marshes, or swamps.
• Can travel long distances from breeding sites.
• Lay eggs on water surface or damp soil.
• Active during dawn and dusk.
• Large hatches occur following significant rainfall events.
• Aerial & ground insecticide spraying controls well.
• Species include: Culex spp. that carry West Nile virus,   and St. Louis Encephalitis. Anopheles spp. that carry Malaria.

Females may live several weeks in the summer and many months in the winter. If a female mosquito
survives a long time, she may go through several cycles of blood feeding and egg laying.

Tall grass or shrubs are NOT breeding sites. They do provide resting sites for adults.

Fish, frogs, and dragonflies control mosquito larvae in canals, ponds, and lakes.

• Remove standing water. (old tires, gutters, flat roofs, buckets, drums, other containers)
• Cover open containers tightly with a lid or with 16-mesh screen.

• Empty plastic wading pools weekly, store indoors when not in use.

• Store boats covered or upside down.

• Fill in tree holes and hollow stumps that hold water.

• Treat bromeliads and other vegetation that hold water with products containing the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis, var. israelensis.

• Stock your ornamental water garden with mosquito-eating fish (e.g. minnows, Gambusia spp., goldfish, or guppies).

• Repair screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

Want to Know Before We Spray? Sign Up For

Aerial Spray Notification

Want to Know the Status of an Aerial Spray Operation?
Call the Aerial Spray Hotline

(561) 642-8775

Have a Question?
Call or Email Us
  (561) 967-6480
erm-mosquito@pbcgov.org

  Additional Resources​    

Florida Department of Health

 Florida Mosquito Control Association