The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has begun early season aerial spraying missions over freshwater marshes and wooded wetlands near populated areas.
Fixed-wing and helicopter spraying flights were scheduled through the weekend and were to continue Monday around the state. Officials said they spray a type of bacteria that are natural to wetland soils and bad for mosquito larva that consume them.
Lawmakers budgeted about $600,000 last year for spraying and insecticides. Thomas Moran, DNREC regional fish and wildlife manager for northern Delaware, said resources were available for an aggressive start this year.
Landing rates of two to three mosquitoes per minute can lead to a spray order in residential areas.
