179 - Utilizing Drones in Contra Costa County to Conduct Larviciding Treatments During an Above Average Rainfall Mosquito Season

Title:

Utilizing Drones in Contra Costa County to Conduct Larviciding Treatments During an Above-Average Rainfall Mosquito Season

Authors:

David Wexler, Paula Macedo, Terry Davis, Jeremy Shannon, Miaja McCauley, Heidi Budge, Tim Mann, and Steve Fisher.

Affiliations:

Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District, Concord, CA 94520

Abstract:

During the first four months of 2023, Contra Costa County experienced above-average rainfall leading the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District (District) to consider alternative methods to effectively control sites throughout the county that began producing mosquito larvae. Previous methods included utilizing a helicopter, but this method was not viable due to certain sites’ size, location, and/or limitations due to proximity to homes or protected areas; however, District employees had no previous experience with drone applications. As this presentation will show, the challenges brought on by the above-average rainfall became a learning opportunity that revealed the potential of integrating drones into the District’s integrated vector management program as a tool for mosquito control.