51 Dengue Cases Trigger Aerial Spraying in Clearwater
Helicopters will spray a bacterial agent over specific zones Friday to reduce mosquito populations as regional infections rise.
By Harvey Wilson ·
Pinellas County Mosquito Control will begin aerial treatments in parts of Clearwater on Friday, October 30.
The operation involves low-flying helicopters releasing a fine mist of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, or Bti. This soil bacterium targets mosquito larvae and black flies. It does not harm humans, pets, or pollinators. The active ingredient matches that found in mosquito dunks sold at local hardware stores.
Flights will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to encourage residents to stay indoors. The low-altitude patterns create noise but ensure the mist reaches standing water effectively. Lee County Mosquito Control is participating in the joint effort.
The spraying follows a report from the Florida Department of Health released on October 22. Pinellas County has recorded 51 confirmed dengue cases since August. The Tampa Bay region, including Pasco and Hillsborough counties, reports 401 total cases. This figure represents a 14 percent increase compared to the October 15 report.
Residents can view the specific treatment zones on the Pinellas.gov website under the aerial tab. The county also offers an alert system for scheduled treatments at Pinellas.gov/Alert-Pinellas. The Bti works by causing mosquito larvae to release a toxin after ingesting the bacteria due to their unique gut pH.
The county website provides additional details on the tire disposal fee waiver and other dengue combat efforts. The primary goal of the Friday operation is to lower the larval population in targeted areas before adult mosquitoes emerge.
