News Flash

Aerial Spraying in the Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve is Scheduled to Reduce Mosquito Numbers for July 14, 2019 

Date: July 12, 2019 

Vector Disease Control International, Grand County, and the Moab Mosquito Abatement district have scheduled an aerial spray operation for approximately 300 acres within the Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve to help reduce the number of mosquitoes resulting from the flooding caused by high Colorado River flows. The aerial application will be performed Sunday July 14th, weather permitting. If weather does not permit the application to occur, the application will be made on Monday July 15th. Altosid® P35 granular larvicide is the pesticide being applied at a rate of 8-10 pounds per acre. The Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve will be closed for the duration of the treatment. 

Altosid is one of the principle insecticides used for larval mosquito control in the United States. It is effective against almost all species of major nuisance and vector mosquito species in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. The insect growth regulator (S)-methoprene is immediately activated when wet and released to start controlling adult mosquito emergence. Altosid provides up to 35 days of residual control in continuously wet conditions and offers pre-treatment capabilities 15 days prior to flooding (pre-hatch). (S)-methoprene degrades rapidly in the sunlight, both in water and on inert surfaces meaning that it should not persist in soil or contaminate ground water. 

This aerial spray operation is being conducted in response to surveillance findings showing active mosquito habitat. Because of limited road accessibility in this area, aerial spraying is necessary to combat these mosquitoes and prevent them from emerging as adults. 

Vector Disease Control International (VDCI), a mosquito control company operating out of Ogden, Utah will be conducting the aerial spray operation. VDCI has extensive experience in conducting aerial applications for mosquito control having treated over 3 million acres to control mosquitoes resulting from the floodwaters left behind by natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey. VDCI is familiar with working in Utah and serves as the aerial applicator for both Salt Lake Mosquito Abatement District and Davis County Mosquito Abatement District. 

VDCI will be using a single-engine aircraft flying at an altitude of approximately 300 feet to conduct the aerial application. The aircraft is equipped with an aerial spray guidance system specifically engineered for mosquito control operations. The plane is able to receive in real-time, meteorological conditions such as temperature, wind speed and wind direction. This onboard equipment allows us to optimize the application within the intended treatment area, while minimizing drift outside the target zone. 

For additional information contact Chris Baird at 435-259-1322 

Please see attached documentation for full information on chemical used