Aerial spraying begins in Sacramento, Elk Grove to kill mosquitoes

Mbad killing of mosquitoes is scheduled for Monday evening and Tuesday evening in large parts of Sacramento County, where 67 birds died of West Nile virus.

The two-day aerial spraying operation will commence at sunset and will continue until midnight in neighborhoods south of Fruitridge Road, to Franklin Boulevard in Elk Grove.

Three planes – a Cessna and two Pipers – will launch a pesticide called Trumpet about 300 feet above the ground.

"Many mosquitoes were tested positive, as well as dead birds positive for the virus," said Luz Maria Robles, spokesperson for the Sacramento-Yolo mosquito and vector control district.

Robles reported 142 mosquito samples in Ssacramento County tested positive for West Nile, with the highest concentration in the Sacramento & Pocket District and in Elk Grove.

Approximately 41,000 acres will be treated as part of the spraying operation, which aims to eliminate mosquitoes carrying the harmful virus that can cause disease or even death in humans.

Mission planes will carry 60 people. 90 gallons of the pesticide, which the environmental protection agency said is non-toxic to humans. It's very effective at killing mosquitoes.

"Within 15 minutes they are dying," said Malcom Williams, director of the airline division of Vector Disease Control International.

Williams stated that humans have nothing to fear regarding spraying.

"The pesticide is designed at a droplet speed and size so that it does not affect anything greater than a mosquito," Williams explained.

Unless a strong wind, three killer mosquito planes will be on Monday night.

"Our technology will calculate a 15 mph wind," said Williams. "We like to do it around 10 (mph) – no more than 10. But, we can do it up to 15 (mph) and do it accurately."

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