MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – Minot Air Force Base has requested assistance from the Youngstown (Ohio) Air Reserve Station 910th Airlift Wing to conduct aerial spraying for mosquito control between July 13-17 for Minot Air Force Base, and the cities of Minot and Burlington.

Due to uncertain weather conditions the exact time and area to be treated cannot be determined in advance.

The 910th Airlift Wing will be applying U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registered pesticides. Adult mosquito control will occur between the hours of 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. The applications will be made using a modified C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft flying 150 feet above ground level.

The wing maintains the Department of Defense’s only large area fixed-wing aerial spray capability to control disease-carrying insects, pest insects, undesirable vegetation and to disperse oil spills in large bodies of water using C-130H aircraft.

The purpose of the aerial spraying for mosquitoes is to protect public health, ease working conditions, and improve the quality of life for members working at Minot AFB and living in the surrounding area.

Minot AFB Public Health recommends humans and domestic animals remain indoors while the aerial spraying is occurring immediately overhead or upwind from your location and until the mist settles to the ground. These pesticides were selected because they pose minimal health hazards to humans and domestic animals with aerial application.

Concerned residents should contact the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron pest management office at 723-2393.

Aerial mosquito spraying was planned for June in the local area but canceled due to the North Dakota Department of Health not being able to do mosquito testing at that time. Mosquito counts help the spray team measure the effectiveness of its mission.