Mosquito aerial spraying at Homestead Air Reserve Base (HARB) and parts of the surrounding area is scheduled to occur during the week of August 31, 2009 through September 4, 2009.  The flights are scheduled to take place from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday with Thursday being a back-up day.

Spraying areas will include those parts of the County that are being most affected at that time by increased mosquito activity.  Possible areas to be sprayed include Homestead, Florida City, the Redlands, areas East of US1 and if necessary West Kendall and West Doral.  Once again, areas to be sprayed will be entirely dependant on where mosquito activity has shown a demonstrable increase at the time of surveillance on Monday August 31.

Residents are advised a large aircraft, the C-130 Hercules will be flying as low as 150 feet over the spray areas to train aircrew and spray Dibrom Concentrate. After spraying, about 90 percent of adult mosquitoes should be killed. The reduction in mosquito populations may last up to two weeks depending on the size of the area sprayed and how favorable conditions are for new mosquito hatches.

Beekeepers are asked to keep their bees covered during the spraying operations in their particular area. Anybody with known allergic reactions should stay indoors.

The 311 call center, which accepts mosquito service requests, is open Monday through Friday, 6 am to 10 pm, and Saturday/Sunday from 8am to 8pm.  The call center will be updated with the areas to be sprayed as the information is determined.  Residents may call 311 to find out if their area will be included in the spray mission.