Mosquito plane to begin swamp spraying

| 06/05/2014

(CNS): The Mosquito Research & Control Unit will begin conducting aerial operations over mosquito-breeding swamp areas this week. Officials said that the spraying operation which will start on Wednesday 7 May will involve low-level flights during mornings and late afternoons. The operation will start in the West Bay area and is expected to finish on the north side of the island. “Weather permitting the application should be complete within ten days,” a spokesperson for the MRCU said.The distinctive red and white MRCU aircraft will be applying small pellets specifically designed to target mosquito larvae developing in aquatic habitats, and by this means prevent emergence of biting mosquitoes. 

Once the rains begin the pellets are activated and will provide control for up to two months.  Low-level flights over specific areas are necessary to ensure that correct application and successful control of mosquitoes is achieved.

Further information can be found on the Mosquito Research & Control Unit Facebook page or website www.mrcu.ky.  A daily update of the areas being treated will also be available on those sites. Anyone wanting more information is invited to call MRCU with any enquiries or questions on 949-2557

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  1. Anonymous says:

    People should be informed exactly of the days, times and areas of the applications well in advance, so they can choose to stay indoors or go and stay elsewhere. The incidence of cancer in Cayman is far to high and all those substances are carcinogenic. Wether the MRCU admits it or not.

  2. Anonymous says:

    I hope this knocks out some iguanas at the same time.

  3. Anonymous says:

    It would be beneficial if the Gov't can give the schools a time range to keep the children inside while spraying so they do t inhale the densest part of the spraying. This article says early morning but doesn't give the time. When the spray plane delivers I've seen many bugs fall and roll minuetes later. This cannot be safe to inhale. Or- make it mandatory to stay indoors the whole day? 

    • Anonymous says:

      Why on earth would anyone think this matter is funny?

    • Anonymous says:

      I think its quite difficult to inhale PELLETS and as the article states they are treating SWAMP areas.  

      I welcome the mosquito control, there is more danger of contracting disease from mosquitos than the larveacide anyway.

      Watching the skilful flying of the mosquito plane is a treat, these pilots fly at low levels avoiding obstructions like tower cranes and other moveable objects with great skills and precision.  We should consider ourselves fortunate to have mosquito control both from the air and ground.

    • Anonymous says:

      The MRCU campaign will begin today with the dropping of granular pellet larvicide prior to annual rainy season. These are durable slow-release pellets encased in carbon that reduce the breeding population during first rainy season to give relief for the rest of the year.  A list of the control compounds is here, along with Material Safety Data Sheets:

      http://www.mrcu.ky/news-links-faqs/  

      There is typically no liquid adulticide spraying until later in the rainy season – and only at dusk and dawn when there are the most airborne adult mosquitos.  

      Everyone should note that the granular pellet larvicide and liquid adulticide campaigns are focused on reducing the number of dusk and dawn biting mangrove swamp area breeding mosquitos, and have little effect on reducing the number of domesticated day-biting Aedes Aegypti – the vector mosquito for Dengue (rare documented cases in Cayman), Yellow Fever (not known to occur here) and Chikungunya (not yet known here).  Residents are encouraged to check around their homes and empty any dark and wet breeding habitats – pots, gutters, drain pipes, etc. 

  4. Anonymous says:

    what pesticied is being used? is it harmful to humans? what happens when it gets into the ground water?

  5. Anonymous says:

    Please start asap, mosquitos are terrible in savanna