Helicopter mosquito treatment planned for parts of St. Petersburg and Clearwater as dengue cases rise

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Helicopters may start this week

Pinellas County says aerial mosquito larvae treatments may start as soon as this week in parts of St. Petersburg and Clearwater. The county says the work is meant to cut mosquitoes that can spread dengue, and the treatment will use a mosquito-specific bacteria sprayed from low-flying helicopters. Residents who may be in the affected neighborhoods can sign up for text or email alerts before the flights are scheduled.

The county says the helicopters will fly between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and that the flights will be noisy because they need to stay low enough to reach standing water. Officials say the product being used, Bti, is not harmful to people, pets or pollinators when used properly.

Dengue numbers keep climbing

The announcement comes as the county says dengue activity is still rising. Pinellas said Florida Department of Health data from Oct. 15 showed 37 confirmed cases in the county since August and 351 confirmed cases across Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. The county also says it is under a mosquito-borne illness alert and a state of local emergency for dengue.

What residents can do now

County guidance says the mosquitoes that spread dengue lay eggs in containers that hold water, including tires, buckets and other items around homes and businesses. That is why officials are still asking residents to dump standing water at least once a week. Pinellas Solid Waste is also waiving the tire disposal fee for home tires through Oct. 30, which gives residents a window to clear out breeding spots.