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DNREC begins yearly mosquito control efforts

The annual fight against swarms of mosquitoes has begun.

DNREC says its Mosquito Control Section began pretreating woodland pools with larvicide Monday in an effort to cull the mosquito population before it emerges in May.

8,000 acres across populated areas of New Castle, Kent and Sussex will be treated in the coming weeks before increasing tree cover in wooded areas makes those treatments less effective. The larvicides will be applied by helicopter and possibly aircraft.

Tom Moran, program manager with the northern office of the Mosquito Control Section, says there is limited time to fight the larva before spring kicks into high gear.

“Once the leaves start to come out on the trees by mid-April, then our ability to treat those habitats is eliminated,” he said.

Moran adds that Delaware is particularly vulnerable to mosquitoes because of its large proportion of wetlands and high population density.

“Delaware has a bit of an unholy mix of factors that can equal some pretty big mosquito problems for certain areas of the state at specific times,” he said.

Crews will place more emphasis on combating the insects in more sparsely populated, rural areas once the mosquitoes reach full adulthood in late spring.