May 18, 2013
TALLAHASSEE, FL – July 21, 2012
Aerial spraying for mosquitoes in Leon County has now been scheduled for Sunday evening, July 22 through Monday morning, July 23, weather permitting. Aerial spraying is scheduled from dusk to dawn, approximately 8:00 p.m. through 5:00 a.m., in the southern portion of the County – the most severely impacted area of flooding caused by Tropical Storm Debby.
This aerial spraying is taking place due to a surge in the mosquito population from flooding caused by the recent storm, which has generated an excess of more than 5,500 service calls to Leon County Mosquito Control for spraying of yards and neighborhoods.
The decision for aerial spraying was made due to the overwhelming increase in the mosquito population, with the advisement of County health officials and in direct response to citizens' recent requests, which are currently averaging 500 calls per day.
At this time, there have been no reported or confirmed mosquito-borne diseases in Leon County. The Leon County Health Department advises that an aerial spray is appropriate to help prevent any potential spread of mosquito-borne disease.
An aerial effort in the southern portion of Leon County allows officials to refocus existing spraying resources towards other areas of the County that will not be within the scope of the aerial spray. Leon County Mosquito Control has been utilizing trucks seven days a week during evening hours. However, Tropical Storm Debby has created a level of demand that cannot be addressed with ground spraying and hand fogging alone.
Any previous service request to the County for yard or street spraying, in the effected areas of the aerial spray zone, will be considered as resolved after aerial spraying.
A map has been posted to the Leon County Mosquito Control website, www.LeonCountyFL.gov/spray/, that indicates the zones targeted for aerial spraying. Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has indicated the levels of the organophosphate insecticide Naled (Dibrom) released per acre of ground in aerial spraying are not harmful to humans or animals, citizens concerned about exposure to the chemical Naled (Dibrom) should stay indoors during the scheduled spraying time frame.
If inclement weather occurs, spraying could be rescheduled for the next evening, Monday evening, July 23 through Tuesday morning, July 24.
To read a fact sheet on Naled (Dibrom) and view a large map of Leon County's aerial spraying zones, please visit Leon County Mosquito Control’s website at www.LeonCountyFL.gov/spray/ or contact Leon County Mosquito Control at (850) 606-1400.
For more information, contact Dale Walker, Director of Operations for Leon County Public Works, at (850) 606-1400 / WalkerDa@LeonCountyFL.gov or Jon D. Brown, Director of Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 w / (850) 694-1405 c / cmr@LeonCountyFL.gov .
NOTE: The aerial spraying schedule noted is contingent on weather conditions. Any changes will be communicated to local media partners and posted on the Leon County website.
