DNREC to Begin Spraying Woodland Pools to Control Mosquitoes Tuesday, March 18

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will begin its annual spring spraying of woodland pools to control aquatic immature (larval) mosquitoes as early as Tuesday, March 18, with spray operations continuing through mid-April, weather permitting. The spring spray campaign by DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section will begin in southern Sussex County, then expand into Kent and New Castle counties over the next several weeks. Targeting these early-season woodland pool larval mosquitoes limits the emergence of biting adult mosquitoes later in the spring (typically early May) coming from these habitats.

Up to 10,000 acres of wet woodlands near select populated areas are typically treated. However, Delaware’s continuing drought conditions have resulted in much lower-than-average water present in the woodlands. All control treatments will be done via helicopter applying a liquid, bacteria-derived insecticide commonly known as Bti. As with all insecticides used by the Mosquito Control Section within the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, Bti has been determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to pose no unreasonable risks to human health, wildlife or the environment when applied in accordance with product label instructions as required by federal law.

The spring woodland mosquito larvae spraying campaign marks the beginning of Delaware’s mosquito control season – which in most years continues until late October or early November. Starting in April, Mosquito Control Section activities will expand to larval and adult saltmarsh mosquitoes, other freshwater mosquitoes, and urban and suburban container-breeding mosquitoes to manage mosquito populations for improving the state’s quality of life and to protect public health.

Locations and times for scheduled mosquito spraying activity in the state can be obtained by calling toll-free 800-338-8181. Mosquito spraying announcements can also be received by email, text or voicemail by subscribing to Mosquito Control’s Spray Zone Notification System at de.gov/mosquitospray.

To request local mosquito control service for a residential area, call a Mosquito Control Section field office with coverage responsibilities as follows:

• Glasgow Office, 302-836-2555, serving New Castle County and the northern half of Kent County, including Dover.
• Milford Office, 302-422-1512, serving the southern half of Kent County south of Dover and all of Sussex County.

For more information about DNREC’s mosquito control efforts in Delaware, visit de.gov/mosquito.