Miami-Dade County to partner with Air Force Reserve to conduct aerial spraying for mosquitoes
(MIAMI-DADE, FL - August 26, 2014) – The Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) is once again teaming up with the Air Force Reserve Command’s 910th Airlift Wing from Youngstown, Ohio, to conduct mosquito control aerial spraying operations on Tuesday, August 26, 2014.
Miami-Dade County will provide the pesticide, Dibrom (also known as Naled), which is certified for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The 910th Airlift Wing will supply the pilots, aircrews and the aircraft, a specially equipped C-130H turboprop cargo plane. This aerial spraying mission is reminiscent of ones which took place on July 29, 2014, and August 1, 2014.
The aerial mosquito control flight will take place during the final two daylight hours prior to sunset, and up to 30 minutes after sunset, weather permitting. The four-engine C-130H aircraft will be flying as low as 150 feet above the ground over: Homestead Air Reserve Base, Homestead, the Redlands, and areas east of US 1 (parts of Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay). (See attached map)
This is the second aerial mission performed this mosquito season in conjunction with the Air Force Reserve. The purpose of the mission is both to train the flight crew and to reduce the infestation of mosquitoes within populated areas of Miami-Dade County where mosquito counts have exceeded existing standards, and to address the mosquito complaints that have been received. Beekeepers are asked to keep their bees covered during the spraying operations in their particular area. Individuals with known allergic reactions should remain indoors.
Residents with questions about the aerial spraying, or complaints about mosquitoes, can call the County’s Answer Center at 3-1-1.