DNREC takes to the sky this week to fight the state’s typically robust mosquito population.
Unseasonably cold weather this spring is slowing growth of mosquito larvae in Delaware’s wet woodlands. As a result DNREC delayed its aerial spraying which typically begins in March.
Bill Meredith, DNREC’s mosquito control program administrator says a helicopter will begin spraying insecticide over wooded wetlands adjacent to communities in all three counties.
“Anything where you’ll find woodland pools adjacent to cities, towns, large subdivisions, primarily south of the C and D Canal. So, we’ll be treating wet woodland areas on the west side of Dover, down in the Harrington area, down in Georgetown," said Meredith.
Meredith adds, with cool temperatures also slowing tree canopy growth, DNREC should have more than enough time to spray the necessary areas over the next two weeks.
“This year because of the relatively dry spring, also with the cooler temperatures, we may only end up spraying 5,000 acres, which is less than the 8,000 average. But, it remains to be seen what’ll happen over the next two weeks with the extent of woodland pool coverage,” said Meredith.
Delaware hosts about 100 thousand acres of wet woodlands each spring.
Meredith adds spraying now helps control mosquitoes as larvae and avoid large numbers of biting adult mosquitoes from early May through late June.
Meredith notes the insecticide is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and poses no “unreasonable risk” to humans or the environment.
Delaware is home to 57 species of mosquitoes, 19 of which feed on humans.