Apopka among communities receiving aerial mosquito treatments from Orange County as early as Sunday

In response to a recent spike in the local mosquito population due to Hurricane Ian flooding, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will be supporting Orange County Mosquito Control (OCMC) with aerial mosquito treatments as early as the evening of Sunday, October 16, 2022.

OCMC has identified approximately 93,000 acres in Orange County with an increased mosquito population that will receive this additional aerial treatment. The areas identified for aerial treatment include Apopka, Bithlo, Christmas, Hunter’s Creek, Union Park, and Wedgefield. (See attachment)

OCMC attributes the recent rise in mosquito population to rain produced by Hurricane Ian.

Mosquito Control officials report that mosquito populations, particularly in areas not accessible by vehicle, continue to rise, elevating the level of nuisance mosquitoes as well as mosquito types that can transmit illnesses to people. 

No precautions are necessary to safeguard livestock, pets, or gardens. Officials report that aerial treatment is the most effective way to combat high mosquito populations across large acreage and in areas not accessible or manageable by ground.

Frequently Asked Questions about Naled 

What is naled? 

Naled is an organophosphate insecticide registered in the U.S. and in Florida by both the  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Naled is approved for use to control many insect pests of public health and agricultural concern, including mosquitoes, fruit flies, and dog flies.  Pesticide products containing naled used for mosquito control include “Dibrom” and  “Trumpet.”  

How may naled be applied? 

State or local mosquito control programs commonly apply naled by airplanes as an ultra-low volume (ULV) spray. ULV sprayers apply very fine droplets that are small enough to stay airborne for an extended time. Naled kills mosquitoes when they contact the droplets.  The small droplet size improves the control of insects and reduces contact with humans and non-target wildlife. ULV sprayers use tiny amounts of naled to treat large areas,  typically about one tablespoon of the product (0.05 pounds of naled) per acre. That’s about the same as using 1–2 ounces in an area about the size of a football field. 

Why has the EPA reviewed the use of naled? 

The EPA conducted “re-registration” reviews on all pesticides registered before 1984. The program was started to review older pesticides based on the latest environmental and toxicity data. The intent of the re-registration program was to make sure that the regulation of a pesticide meets today’s stricter standards. Under this program, pesticide makers must submit the latest data to the EPA and update the safety data to keep the registration current. This process ensures that the product can be safely used. The EPA continues to review pesticides on a routine basis.  

What happens to naled in the environment? 

Aerially applied naled quickly breaks down in the environment, as does its breakdown products, in a matter of hours to days.  

What can I do if I believe that naled might be making me sick? 

If you are ill, you should call your doctor. For other concerns, you can also call your county health department or the Florida Health Pesticide Surveillance Program’s toll-free number at 1-800-606-5810. Or you can call the Florida Poison Control Centers at 1-800- 222-1222. 

How do I get more information about naled?  

You can get more information on the use of naled in mosquito control by calling the Florida  DACS Bureau of Scientific Evaluation and Technical Assistance at (850) 617-7917.