MEDIA RELEASE
BOLIVIA, N.C. – The post-disaster aerial mosquito spraying for the populated areas of Brunswick County is now complete, finishing a few days ahead of schedule. Any precautionary measures taken in anticipation of aerial spraying are no longer necessary. This aerial service was an essential means to protect the health and safety of our residents from the threat of mosquitoes and any diseases they may carry.
Brunswick County contracted with VDCI to conduct the aerial spraying in response to increased mosquito populations caused by heavy rainfall and flooding from Tropical Storm Debby and Potential Tropical Cyclone #8. Brunswick County and VDCI previously performed this very same mosquito control service after Hurricane Florence in 2018.
Following Tropical Storm Debby and PTC #8, Brunswick County Mosquito Control received over 1,500 mosquito service requests. On average, Mosquito Control received around 450 calls within this same time period in previous years. Receiving three times the average amount indicated a significant public health need in the area.
Mosquitoes pose significant health risks to humans and animals, as many mosquitoes can carry harmful diseases like West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE), Dirofilaria immitis (dog heartworm disease), La Crosse virus, and dengue virus (break-bone fever). Columbus County recently reported an increase in West Nile virus cases in their area.
Key Points About the Aerial Spraying
- Brunswick County residents, property owners, and businesses who chose to take extra precautions during the aerial spraying no longer need to do so, including beekeepers.
- Aerial spraying began no earlier than 7:30 p.m. each evening during the spray period.
- Mosquito control technicians will begin post-treatment mosquito trapping through Wednesday, Oct. 16 to determine aerial spray efficiency in decreasing mosquito populations in Brunswick County. Treatment efficiency results are expected to become available by the end of next week if not earlier.
- The decision behind what days to complete aerial spraying required careful consideration of when the mosquitoes would have started to breed post-storm, and how long it would take for new broods to become capable of biting and potentially infecting humans and animals. It takes about two to three weeks (14 to 21 days) for an infected mosquito to reach this mark, which is also the age when insecticide can best impact the broods. The timing of the aerial spraying specifically targeted the mosquitos when aged around the 15-day mark.
- Brunswick County notified the State about the need for aerial spraying and received an exemption to conduct this spraying in accordance with state law before the Board of Commissioners ever approved the activation of the post-disaster aerial mosquito control contract with VDCI.
- Although Brunswick County is experiencing some cooler weather, it is still not cold enough to significantly decrease the mosquito population. Mosquitoes become less active when temperatures consistently drop below 50°F and most will perish or go dormant once temperatures fall below 32°F consistently. Brunswick County has not experienced either of those temperatures at a consistent rate over multiple days yet this autumn.
- It is anticipated that FEMA reimbursement will occur for a substantial portion of the costs for this aerial spraying. Upon FEMA approval of the PTC #8 declaration, an amendment will be brought to the Board of Commissioners to redirect the appropriation for FEMA reimbursement.
- Brunswick County currently has six mosquito control vehicles to provide services to the county at any given time. With over 1,500 service requests after recent storms, treating the increased mosquito populations via the traditional vehicle method would not be as efficient or effective. Aerial spraying of insecticides is much more effective and faster than truck-mounted or handheld sprayers in treating large areas of land for mosquitoes. The aerial treatment covered approximately 692.25 square miles out of Brunswick County’s total 850.08 square miles of land.
- Farm or business owners who are concerned about potential exposure to pesticides and would like to submit samples for inspection can contact the NCDA&CS Pesticide Section at 984-236-4575 or visit their website here.
Continued Mosquito Control
While aerial spraying is effective in quickly decreasing the mosquito population over large areas, individuals are still encouraged to continue taking preventative measures to limit their exposure to mosquitoes and prevent mosquito bites.
Property owners or residents requesting additional mosquito control services can use the online service request form. Once the form has been submitted and reviewed, a technician will evaluate the property to determine if ground-based operations via truck are necessary.
Learn more about Mosquito Control at brunswickcountync.gov/mosquito-control.
For additional questions, contact Brunswick County Mosquito Control at MosquitoControl@brunswickcountync.gov.
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Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, contact Communications Director Meagan Kascsak.
Stay Informed
A Message to Residents about the Public Health Need for Post-Disaster Aerial Mosquito Spraying
Posted on: October 10, 2024
PUBLIC NOTICE
Brunswick County understands that there have been some concerns about the post-disaster aerial mosquito spray scheduled for the week of Oct. 11 through Oct. 18, 2024. This service is vital to protect the health and safety of our residents from the threat of mosquitoes in the area.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquito-borne diseases are among the world's leading causes of illness and death today.
Mosquitoes pose significant health risks to humans and animals, as many mosquitoes can carry harmful diseases like West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE), Dirofilaria immitis (dog heartworm disease), La Crosse virus, and dengue virus (break-bone fever). Columbus County recently reported an increase in West Nile virus cases in their area.
Here are a few key points and reminders you should be aware of:
- Dibrom (Naled) is an insecticide that is an EPA-approved substance and has been registered since 1959 for use in the United States.
- Brunswick County has previously contracted with Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) to perform this mosquito control service after Hurricane Florence in 2018.
- Brunswick County is working with beekeepers in the area to protect their hives and are staying in contact with the schools and municipalities (incorporated towns, cities, and villages).
- During the day on Friday, Oct. 11, VDCI crewmembers will fly their planes around 500ft above the county to identify any potential obstacles or areas to avoid. No insecticides will be sprayed during daytime hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brunswick County has compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers about the post-disaster aerial spraying.
Why is aerial spraying necessary?
Aerial spraying of insecticides is used to control and reduce the overall number of mosquitoes and most importantly to reduce the population of mosquitoes that can spread harmful diseases. It is much more effective and faster than truck-mounted or handheld sprayers in treating large areas of land. This can help post-disaster recovery operations and reduce your chances of getting sick. To combat the threat these mosquitoes can cause to recovery efforts and public health, Brunswick County has activated its aerial mosquito control contract with Vector Disease Control International (VDCI).
When will the spraying take place in my area?
The map of Brunswick County Aerial Mosquito Spray Zones (PDF) includes a spray schedule for different populated areas within the county. Each of the three zones will be sprayed during their corresponding dates. Those who plan to take extra precautions should do so each night in their zone’s date range. If any changes to the schedule are necessary, we will share them on our website at brunswickcountync.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=299.
How will the spraying affect pollinators and other insects like bees, dragonflies, and butterflies?
To better protect the public and insects like bees, sprays are scheduled for dusk when honeybees, dragonflies, and butterflies are less active, and is completed by dawn. The timing of this service also ensures that the product selected is less persistent in the atmosphere for safer foraging the following day.
Although the timing of the service decreases the chance of significant exposure to insecticides, beekeepers should take precautions to protect their hives. Please take the following actions to reduce potential exposure and protect your bees:
- Move your bees out of the county until the sprays end.
- Cover your hives with a loose wet material such as a sheet on the evenings when aerial spraying will be conducted.
- Provide clean sources of food (supplemental sugar water and protein diets) and clean drinking water to honeybee colonies.
- Tell other beekeepers so they can avoid colony loss during this necessary aerial application.
Any beekeepers who have questions or are not registered should call N.C. Cooperative Extension – Brunswick County Center at 910-253-2610 or visit brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu for information.
Will the spraying affect my vegetable garden?
Dibrom (Naled), the insecticide used in the aerial spraying, is used primarily for controlling adult mosquitoes but is also used on food and feed crops and in greenhouses. Naled is approved for use on many crops and EPA has established safe residue levels for all crops. Aerial ultra-low volume (ULV) sprays dispense very fine aerosol droplets containing small quantities of active ingredient that stay aloft and kill mosquitoes on contact. The amount that reaches the ground is tiny and it dissipates quickly. Aerial ULV spray applications are designed to kill adult mosquitoes across large areas of land with the least impacts to humans, animals, and non-target insects as possible. Brunswick County and VDCI used this product to control and reduce mosquito populations after Hurricane Florence in 2018.
Will cooler weather impact the mosquito population?
Although Brunswick County is experiencing some cooler weather, it is not cold enough to significantly decrease the mosquito population. Mosquitoes become less active when temperatures consistently drop below 50°F and most will perish or go dormant once temperatures fall below 32°F. Brunswick County will perform the aerial spraying to protect residents from the immediate threat of mosquito-borne diseases.
Who do I contact to learn more about spraying in my area?
Information about the status of the post-disaster mosquito control response will be shared here on this webpage. Updates will also be shared via email, social media, and local media outlets.
For questions about aerial spraying, email Brunswick County Mosquito Control at MosquitoControl@brunswickcountync.gov or OperationServices@brunswickcountync.gov.
Beekeepers with questions should call N.C. Cooperative Extension – Brunswick County Center at 910-253-2610 or visit brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu for information.
Brunswick County Post-Disaster Aerial Mosquito Spraying Begins Oct. 11
Posted on: October 8, 2024
Aerial Spraying Map & Schedule
MEDIA RELEASE
BOLIVIA, N.C. – Aerial spraying for mosquitoes in Brunswick County will begin Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, weather permitting. The countywide aerial spraying is part of Brunswick County’s emergency response to the increased mosquito populations caused by heavy rainfall and flooding from Tropical Storm Debby and Potential Tropical Cyclone #8.
During the regular meeting on Oct. 7, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved issuing a Notice to Proceed for Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) to perform aerial mosquito control for the populated areas of Brunswick County.
VDCI crews are scheduled to begin using airplanes to spray insecticides over the county during the week of Oct. 11 through Oct. 18, weather permitting. Spraying will start at dusk. Click here to view the aerial spraying schedule and map of planned routes.
Exact routes are subject to change depending on weather conditions. If weather conditions delay spraying, it will begin Monday, Oct. 14 or any subsequent day as weather conditions allow.
When applied by a licensed vector control professional who follows label instructions, aerial spraying poses minimal risk to people, pets, animals, and the environment. Aerial spraying uses very low volumes of either adulticide or larvicide, so you are not likely to breathe or touch anything that has enough insecticide on it to harm you.
That being said, individuals located in the areas being sprayed are encouraged to avoid being outside during evening hours if possible as there is a possibility that spraying adulticides can cause eye irritation if a person is outside when spraying takes place.
Due to the timing of this service, the aerial spraying is not anticipated to affect insects like butterflies and dragonflies as they are less active at night, but beekeepers should take precautions to protect their hives (see details below).
Ground-based operations will begin follow-up ground spraying via trucks as soon as areas with additional needs are identified.
Learn more about Mosquito Control at brunswickcountync.gov/mosquito-control.
For additional questions, contact Brunswick County Mosquito Control at 910.253.2515 or email MosquitoControl@brunswickcountync.gov.
Information for Beekeepers in Brunswick County
Insecticides will be sprayed from airplanes across Brunswick County during the week of Oct. 11 through Oct. 18 to reduce the mosquito population and associated public health risk. These sprays may have negative impacts on honeybees including hive losses if precautions are not made in advance.
To better protect the public and insects like bees, sprays are scheduled for dusk when honeybees are less active, and the product selected is less persistent in the atmosphere for safer foraging the following day.
Please take the following actions to protect your bees:
- Move your bees out of the county until the sprays end.
- Cover your hives with wet burlap or another material to prevent foraging.
- Tell other beekeepers so they can avoid colony loss during this necessary aerial application.
Any changes to the daily spraying schedule will be publicized as more information is available.
Any beekeepers who have questions or are not registered should call N.C. Cooperative Extension – Brunswick County Center at 910-253-2610 or visit brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu for information.
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Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, contact Communications Director Meagan Kascsak.
Stay Informed