ANNUAL MOSQUITO SPRAYING CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY IN DELAWARE

State of Delaware - The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is set to launch its annual spring mosquito control campaign aimed at limiting the emergence of biting mosquitoes later in the year.

Beginning as early as Tuesday, March 18, and continuing through mid-April, the Mosquito Control Section will spray woodland pools, targeting aquatic immature (larval) mosquitoes. The operation, weather permitting, will commence in southern Sussex County and expand into Kent and New Castle counties over the next few weeks.

The spraying campaign will focus on treating up to 10,000 acres of wet woodlands near residential areas using a liquid insecticide derived from bacteria, commonly known as Bti.

This environmentally approved product has been reviewed and determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pose no unreasonable risks to human health, wildlife, or the environment when used as directed.

DNREC notes that Delaware's ongoing drought conditions have reduced water levels in these woodlands, thereby limiting the need for widespread treatments this season. The application of Bti will be conducted via helicopter, ensuring efficient and targeted treatment of affected areas.

The spring spraying marks the beginning of Delaware's broader mosquito control season, which typically lasts until October or November. By April, DNREC's efforts will expand to manage other types of mosquitoes, including saltmarsh, freshwater, and urban/suburban container-breeding species. These measures aim to improve quality of life for residents while protecting public health from vector-borne diseases.

For information on mosquito spraying activities, residents can call the toll-free hotline at 800-338-8181. Alternatively, they may subscribe to DNREC's Mosquito Control Spray Zone Notification System at de.gov/mosquitospray to receive updates via email, text, or voicemail.

Residents seeking localized mosquito control services for their area can contact DNREC's field offices:

• Glasgow Office (serving New Castle County and northern Kent County): 302-836-2555  
• Milford Office (serving southern Kent County and all of Sussex County): 302-422-1512  

For further information on DNREC's mosquito control efforts, please visit de.gov/mosquito.

Disclaimer  

All insecticide applications adhere to product label instructions and regulations to ensure safety and efficacy in environmental and public health contexts.