The buzz of mosquitoes may be drowned out by the roar of aircraft starting Saturday evening as low-flying planes begin aerial spraying for the blood-sucking insects in Flagler County, a news release said.
Flagler County Emergency Management, the East Flagler Mosquito Control District and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have joined forces for the aerial attack on the stinging insects due to a significant increase in mosquito numbers following Hurricane Milton, said communications coordinator Julie Murphy of Flagler County. .
Spraying will likely begin Saturday evening and continue each night until dawn Wednesday. The planes fly from sunset to sunrise.
“The planes will fly at low altitudes and produce a lot of noise,” Murphy wrote.
The spraying will cover almost the entire province, although spraying will not occur on organic farms and larger, unpopulated natural areas, Murphy wrote.
The pesticide will be applied at an “ultra-low volume” of less than an ounce per acre, Murphy wrote.
While mosquitoes are most active at night, beneficial insects such as pollinators are less active and avoid exposure to the spray, she wrote.
“The active ingredients break down quickly and have no residual effects,” Murphy wrote.
Beekeepers are informed about the spraying, although no negative consequences for the bees are expected.
The aerial attack on mosquitoes depends on the weather and the availability of the aircraft.
This article originally appeared in The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Low-flying planes in Flagler County spray for mosquitoes
