LANGLEY AFB, VA. –
Mosquito counts are climbing as expected from the rain received from Tropical Storm Ernesto, said Mitchell Burcham, ecological controls specialist here.
Therefore, a C-130 from the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown, Ohio will hit mosquito "hot spots" in Langley, Bethel Manor Housing, Hampton and Fort Eustis Monday through Sept 30.
Residents will be able to see and hear the low-flying plane as it passes overhead.
The plane will take off two hours before sunset and spray until sunset 150 feet above the ground and release liquid in an aerosol form. The 910th uses Dibrom (chemical name, Naled), an EPA-approved pesticide, for mosquito control.
Aerial spraying targets the type of mosquitoes that fly late in the day. After spraying, Dibrom should kill about 90 percent of adult mosquitoes.
The reduction in mosquito populations may last up to two weeks depending on the size of the area sprayed and how many new mosquitoes hatch.
"Residents and their pets are advised not to be outdoors directly under the airplane's spraying path," said Maj. Robert Nyquist, Public Health Flight commander. "This same pesticide and technique have been used at Langley in previous seasons with no reported ill effects on humans or animals. And, because of the very small amount of active ingredient released per acre of ground, exposure estimates are hundreds to thousands of times below an amount that might pose a health concern."
Although the chemical poses little risk to humans or animals, Langley's Public Health Office advises residents who may prefer to avoid or further minimize exposure (such as those who suffer from chemical sensitivities or feel spraying may aggravate a pre-existing condition) to take the following precautions until the airplane passes:
-Stay indoors with windows and doors closed for 30 minutes
-Turn off window-unit air conditioning
Residents can help prevent other types of mosquitoes from hatching by emptying containers of water in their yards and eliminating sources of standing water, such as flowerpots and birdbaths. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as one inch of standing water.
"People should practice good personal hygiene and hand-washing techniques before eating or smoking if they touch items that were left outdoors immediately after being sprayed," Major Nyquist said.
Beekeepers are advised to protect their bees by sheltering the hives during the aerial spraying operations. Particles of the sprayed chemical could land on foraging bees with a deadly effect.
For details about spraying, visit http://www.epa.gov or call the mosquito hotline at 764-1104.