AERIAL RURAL ADULTICIDING

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to Begin Aerial Mosquito Treatments
Seminole County Will Receive Aerial Treatment This Week

SEMINOLE COUNTY, FL (October 17, 2022)- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is conducting an aerial mosquito spraying mission tonight. The mission is funded and directed by the State as a result of increased mosquito populations and Hurricane Ian impacts. 

The significant rise in mosquito populations is difficult to contain with regular ground spaying, especially in rural areas inaccessible to vehicles. A regional increase in mosquito-borne illnesses has been reflected in the County’s mosquito surveillance program; the program is conducted with the use of sentinel chickens, which are tested for illnesses. To date, no human cases of mosquito-borne illnesses have been reported. As floodwaters slowly recede, mosquitoes are present in smaller, stagnant collection points, creating favorable breeding habitats. 

LOCATION OF SPRAYING:

• Approximately 48,000 acres in the eastern rural areas of Seminole County, including Lake Jesup, Lake Harney, Geneva, Chuluota, and Black Hammock, and Oviedo will be treated, weather permitting.
• Find a location map below.

WEATHER AND TIMING:

• In order for aerial spraying to occur, winds should be calm and rain and cloud cover should be clear. If the weather does not allow for the aerial mission, the State will reschedule, likely for the following day. 
• Spraying typically occurs within the hours of sunset and sunrise.

PRECAUTIONS & SAFETY

• FDACS has determined the aerial spray product to be utilized for the mission and Center for Disease Control (CDC) has additional information. 
• FDACS also provides a fact sheet for the product. 
• No precautions are necessary for landscape or livestock. Pets should be kept indoors within the impacted areas overnight as a precaution.  
• As a service to the local beekeeper community, Seminole County Mosquito Control remains in close contact with the Seminole County Beekeepers Association to ensure bees are not subject to the treatments. Known beekeepers in the rural portion of the County have been individually contacted today. 

PUBLIC NOTICES

• An AlertSeminole phone call will be conducted to impacted areas. 
• Social media notices have been posted to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor.