Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services announced a county‑wide aerial spraying operation beginning Tuesday night and running through Friday. Low‑flying aircraft will fly at about 300 feet, applying Dibrom insecticide at a rate of 0.66 ounces per acre to roughly 225,000 acres of residential and commercial land.
Targeted neighborhoods and timing
The spray corridor stretches from Carrollwood down to FishHawk Ranch and includes communities such as Town ’N Country, South Tampa, the University of South Florida area, Temple Terrace, Seminole Heights, East Tampa, downtown Tampa, Davis Islands, and Harbour Island. Additional zones cover East Lake, Thonotosassa, Mango, Seffner, Palm River, Progress Village, Gibsonton, Riverview, Apollo Beach, Plant City, Dover, Brandon, Bloomingdale, and Boyette.
Ground crews will conduct localized treatments in Ybor City and parts of Tampa Heights during early‑morning hours (4 a.m. to 6 a.m.) on Tuesday or Wednesday, complementing the aerial effort.
Why the operation is needed
County surveillance traps have detected dengue virus activity in multiple neighborhoods, prompting the expanded response. The county is working closely with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County to monitor mosquito populations and coordinate treatment efforts.
Protecting families
Officials reminded residents to follow the “3 Ds” to prevent mosquito bites: Dress in light‑colored, long‑sleeved shirts and closed‑toe shoes; Defend skin with EPA‑ or CDC‑recommended repellents such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus; and Dump standing water from containers around homes and businesses.
Hillsborough County solid‑waste customers may also drop off up to 12 discarded tires per year at no cost at any of the county’s five collection facilities, helping eliminate potential breeding sites.
How to stay informed
Residents can view scheduled spray zones online or sign up for localized aerial notifications through the county’s website. For additional details, callers can reach Mosquito Management Services at (813) 635‑5400.
The coordinated aerial and ground effort reflects the county’s commitment to safeguarding public health while respecting the daily lives of families across Hillsborough. By acting swiftly, officials aim to curb the dengue surge and protect the community’s well‑being.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
