Should Helicopters Spray for Mosquitos in Marin?

Some Marin residents are abuzz over plans to spray mosquito larvae in San Rafael and Novato.

The Marin – Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District will use a helicopter on Wednesday or Thursday to fog for mosquito larvae at McInnis Park in San Rafael and Deer Island Basin in Novato, according to a report in the Marin Independent Journal.

An interactive map on the Marin – Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District website (see a screenshot of the map above) also showed fogging scheduled for part of Hamilton in Novato on Jan. 30. 

According to the district’s map, the materials to be applied include Vectobac 12AS and Altosid Liquid Larvicide. According to the IJ, the larvicide includes naturally occurring bacteria Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) and methoprene, which regulates insect growth. 

Fairfax resident Frank Egger, a member of the district board, told the IJ that the board hadn’t voted on the spraying and he first learned of the spraying after getting a notice from the district Tuesday afternoon. 

Officials said mosquito larvae have been developing faster than in recent years and the targeted species are highly aggressive biters with long flight range, according to the IJ.

Do you support the district eliminating mosquito larvae? Are you worried about the spraying? Tell us in the comments!