In response to the surge in mosquitoes after Hurricane Milton, Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services is preparing for an aerial treatment. Tomorrow, the county will spray Dibrom, a mosquito adulticide, over several neighborhoods. The operation will take place at night, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., to reduce the mosquitoes' impact on residents.
The treatment will cover 120,288 acres, including neighborhoods like Apollo Beach, Gibsonton, and Ruskin, as well as parts of Lithia and Valrico. The recent flooding has created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, making this a strategic move to disrupt their life cycle and give residents some relief.
For those living in the affected areas — Seffner, Mango, Plant City, South Tampa, Town ‘N Country, Lutz, Keystone, and Odessa — it's advisable to remain indoors during the spray times if possible. According to the county's announcement, this measure is one counteraction against the nuisance and potential health risks carried by mosquitoes. With the nuisance of insect repellent use reduced this weekend, residents might look forward to enjoying the great outdoors with fewer bites.
Questions concerning the aerial application of Dibrom can be directed to the Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services. They can be reached at (813) 635-5400 for more information, including inquiries about the chemical's safety and impacts on not just mosquitoes, but human health and the environment at large.
