Operations Program Manager Delta Mosquito and Vector Control District Visalia, California, United States
Abstract: Delta Mosquito and Vector Control District (DMVCD) is an agricultural basin of southern San Joaquin Valley in California. Corn, one of the main crops in the District, is densely grown through flood irrigation which is the perfect Culex quinquefasciatus Say breeding ground. This abundant mosquito population results in an increase in West Nile virus (WNV) positive pool numbers in the District. From 2017 to September 2022, DMVCD had an average of 457 positive WNV mosquito pools per year, with many found to be associated with agriculture corn crops. This crop is difficult to treat and traditional ground application methods have had minimal impact in reducing mosquito population abundance. To address this problem, DMVCD adopted new aerial application techniques utilizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to reach these inaccessible areas by land. The DMVCD's goal in establishing a UAS Program was to reduce WNV transmission by integrating safe and efficient aerial applications into our Integrated Mosquito Management Program.
