With warm temperatures accelerating mosquito development, Midland County Mosquito Control is poised to begin its annual offensive against the pesky spring floodwater mosquitoes earlier than usual this spring. Over 50,000 acres of flooded woodlands will be treated with larvicide dropped from airplanes over the next 7 to 14 days, said Tom Wilmot, Mosquito Control director. Treatment is conducted between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., weather permitting. The County contracts with Nunica-based Hatfield Spraying Service whose airplanes can be identified by their yellow or white color and repeated flight runs over wooded areas.
The planes drop a naturally occurring bacterium called Bti that is toxic to mosquitoes and other related biting flies but doesn’t affect other life forms or pose environmental risks, officials said. The program targets so-called snowmelt mosquitoes, which, in summer and early fall, lay their eggs in moist depressions in the woods. Melting snow coupled with spring rains cause mosquito larvae to hatch and begin development. The key, said Wilmot, is to treat as much larval hatch in standing water as possible to control the mosquito outbreak--and prevent the blood-seeking insects from spoiling people’s outdoor activities this spring and summer.
Ground crews also will treat small woodlots with hand equipment beginning this week, he said.
