Craney Island mosquito spraying scheduled for tomorrow

Norfolk District Public Affairs
Published July 31, 2017

The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, has scheduled aerial mosquito spraying for tomorrow over Craney Island. 

The 757th Airlift Squadron will use a C-130 Hercules equipped with a spray system for the adulticide treatment, which will begin after sunset. 

People with allergies or respiratory concerns should remain indoors during aerial spraying operations. It is also recommended that small children remain indoors as their respiratory systems are not fully developed and are more susceptible to irritation. 

The airlift squadron will use TRUMPET EC insecticide, which will not leave a residue. 

“Once the droplets have dissipated, which on average is 1-3 minutes, it is safe to resume outdoor activities,” said James Watson, 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron pest management supervisor at Langley Air Force Base. 

Nozzles on the modified C-130 will spray a mist of 30-micron droplets, which will attach to the fine hair of flying mosquitoes. 

Although insecticide will not be applied over city or private property, beekeepers adjacent to Craney Island should keep hives covered during spraying operations.  

The aircrew, based out of the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, will also spray over Langley Air Force Base during the mission. 

In the event of inclement weather, officials will reschedule the spraying for Wednesday. 

The mosquito spraying is part of Norfolk District’s Integrated Pest Management Plan for Craney Island, which utilizes both a contractor and the U.S. Air Force, when available, to manage the mosquito population at Craney Island. 

For more information on this spraying event, contact the 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs at 757-764-5701. 

For more information on Craney Island’s mosquito management, visit http://www.nao.usace.army.mil/CraneyIslandMosquitoes/

Editor's note: Staff Sgt. Carlin Leslie, 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this press release.