Hillsborough schedules aerial mosquito spraying over Tampa neighborhoods through Friday night amid dengue surge

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Spraying is scheduled through Friday night

Hillsborough County says contractors are scheduled to make aerial mosquito applications between sunset and midnight Tuesday through Friday, using Dibrom insecticide to control adult mosquitoes. The county says the treatment covers about 225,000 acres and includes Tampa neighborhoods such as South Tampa, Downtown Tampa and Davis Islands/Harbour Island.

Officials say the spraying is a response to unusually high dengue activity in people and in mosquito populations, and that crews are increasing treatments by air and ground because traps in many neighborhoods are showing dengue virus activity.

Health officials say dengue response is still active

DOH-Hillsborough says it continues to respond to an ongoing dengue outbreak in Hillsborough County. The department tells residents to use repellent, wear loose long-sleeved clothing and drain standing water.

If you develop fever, chills, sweats, nausea or vomiting, or headache after a mosquito bite, the department says to seek medical attention.

What residents can do now

Residents can sign up to be notified when localized aerial treatments are happening in their neighborhood and use the county's online resource to check where spraying is occurring. The county also says discarded tires can be a breeding ground and that Hillsborough Solid Waste customers can dispose of up to 12 tires a year at no cost.