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The Collier Mosquito Control District (CMCD) leads the industry in technology for controlling mosquitoes. The District strives to develop the most efficient control techniques while focusing on minimizing effects on non-target organisms. The CMCD uses both larviciding and aerial adulticiding to control mosquitoes.
  Adulticiding, (the use of chemicals to control adult mosquitoes) is the primary control method the District uses because of the migration of adult mosquitoes from outside the District boundaries. Adulticides are applied by fixed-wing aircraft equipped with an air assist spray system. The CMCD has been developing this new air assist spray system for several years. This system reduces the droplet size of adulticide, making it better for controlling mosquitoes while also reducing non-target impacts. Recently, the District purchased a set of night-vision goggles to assist the pilots during aerial pesticide applications. This equipment will give the pilots a better visual perspective when flying at night, which in turn will help them to increase safety and accomplish spray missions more efficiently.
 The CMCD also uses four helicopters for aerial adulticiding. During March of 2002, one helicopter was equipped with a new air assist spray system that was formerly used only on the District’s fixed-wing aircraft. The other three helicopters use Beecomist® atomizers to disperse adulticides. The new air assist spray system designed for the helicopter will create smaller droplets than the Beecomist® which will provide better mosquito control and reduce non-target impacts. This new system will be used for the first time during the mosquito season of 2002.
The CMCD’s new air assist spray system will be tested throughout the 2002 mosquito season. Tests have already been conducted on the system using a specially designed wind tunnel at Lee County Mosquito Control. Drift and deposition tests will also be performed several times throughout the season.
 Larviciding is another control method the CMCD uses for mosquito control. Larvicides are natural or synthetic products used to kill juvenile mosquitoes during their larval stages in the water. Larvicides are applied to larval habitat by ground in a liquid form using spray trucks or by air in a granular form using a specially equipped helicopter.
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