Officials still itching for aerial mosquito spraying

EDINBURG - State officials paved the way Saturday evening for aerial pesticide spraying in the region, offering hope for some relief from the post-hurricane mosquito infestation.

After resolving some wrangling with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials over the spraying of federal wildlife refuges and reserves, officials announced the operation would begin in Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties as early as tonight but no later than Monday night, if weather permits.

"Our residents will feel some relief soon," Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas said in a news release.

Officials said spraying is expected to take five to six days.

Aerial sprayers are to remain at least a half-mile from any federal or state refuge or reserve, according to the news release.

Late last week, Emily Palmer, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of State Health Services, said state and local officials were looking at maps to determine which areas would be sprayed.

"Populated areas, colonias and farm-to-market roads with a significant population (will be sprayed)," she said.

However, state parks and federal wildlife refuges will not.

The maps will be sent to FEMA along with "landing rates" for mosquitoes, which are used to show how many mosquitoes are out and how many pockets will need ground spraying, Palmer said.

"We're looking for adults (mosquitoes) in high grass and brush areas," Palmer said. "We're not going to spray any water."

The aerial spraying will be done at night, because it's safest, she added.

Ramiro Gonzales, the environmental health director for Harlingen, said there are benefits to both aerial and ground spraying.

Aerial spraying is a one-time event that covers the entire city, Gonzales said. "However, it's very costly and only one application," he added.

In 2003, San Benito officials said hiring a crop duster for aerial spraying was too costly, with estimates at $10,000 for a one-time spraying.

Current costs of aerial spraying were not immediately available.

Gonzales said spraying by truck also takes longer to apply.

"It takes the Harlingen Health Department approximately four evenings - 8 p.m. to midnight - to cover the entire city once," he said.

During the aerial operations, Chicago-based Clarke Mosquito Control will use the chemical Dibrom, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers safe when used properly for mosquito control.

When EPA guidelines are followed, the concentration released during aerial spraying should not harm humans. The chemical is extremely toxic to insects, including those considered beneficial such as honey bees, according to the EPA Web site.

Excessive exposure to Dibrom by humans may result in over-stimulation of the nervous system and cause nausea, dizziness or confusion, according to the EPA.