Aircraft

The Lee County Mosquito Control District uses both fixed wing and rotary-wing aircraft in mosquito control operations.  

During daylight hours for inspections and larviciding purposes, the Airbus H125 helicopter is utilized.  This aircraft has the capability of landing in established landing zones in the mangrove marshes where salt marsh mosquitoes are prevalent.  The H125 is used to apply liquid and granular material for targeting mosquito larvae, and it is also capable of delivering ultra-low volume insecticide to the barrier islands to control adult mosquitoes in the early morning hours.

Fixed wing and rotor wing aircraft are used for the District’s nighttime aerial adulticiding program.  The District currently uses three platforms: the Beechcraft King Air, the Douglas DC-3, and the Airbus H125.  Equipped with the latest technologies of GPS navigation and night vision goggles, these missions are carried out between sunset and 2 a.m., when adult mosquitoes are most active and likely to be exposed to the very small droplets produced by the ultra-low volume spray system.

The District employs a crew of specialized pilots who are certified to fly both fixed wing and rotary-wing aircraft, and come to the District with military, forestry, airline, corporate, off-shore commercial, or agricultural experience. Repairs and routine inspections are also performed in-house by a team of aircraft mechanics. Each aircraft mechanic has FAA A&P certification.

Watch a short video explaining how the District uses Airbus helicopters to Fight the Bite!