ULV Spray Equipment
Introducing our new Electric ULV Truck-Mounted Spray Systems
PCMCD is excited to introduce a major upgrade in how we protect our community from mosquito-borne diseases! Our new electric Ultra Low Volume (ULV) truck-mounted spray systems for adult mosquito control are now in operation.
These new electric sprayers replace our older, gas-powered ULV machines.
These new units are:
🔹 Electric-powered and ultra-quiet
· These sprayers are about 30 decibels quieter than the previous machines. While you might not hear them coming down your street, rest assured they are working efficiently to keep our neighborhoods safe.
· Look for the bright LED lights on the unit and the amber flashing light on the truck cab to confirm the sprayer is operating.
🔹 Cost-effective and environmentally friendly:
· This project was made possible through federal CDC grant funding, these sprayers were provided at no cost to the District.
· The new sprayers save taxpayers approximately $10,000 annually in fuel, maintenance, and servicing costs. These savings aren’t just a one-time benefit, they continue year after year.
· Electric sprayers are more efficient and environmentally friendly, helping us reduce our carbon footprint while protecting public health.
🔹 Where and when do we spray?
· Our team collects surveillance data daily to determine treatment areas based on mosquito activity. There’s no set schedule and our approach is data-driven to maximize effectiveness.
· Applications to control adult mosquitoes are made approximately 30 minutes after sunset to avoid impacting non-target organisms like bees and butterflies, which aren’t active after dark.
· Most mosquito species are very active around sunset and into the nighttime hours, therefore we are targeting mosquitoes when they are active and flying around.
These machines are GPS-monitored, ensuring accurate and targeted treatments.
ATVs play a crucial role in treating adult mosquito populations, especially in areas that are difficult to access by larger vehicles. Equipped with custom-built ULV spray systems, these ATVs can navigate through rough terrain, such as swamps, forests, and rural areas, where mosquitoes often thrive. The ULV system, mounted on the ATV, disperses a fine mist of insecticide to effectively target adult mosquitoes. The agility and compact size of ATVs allow inspectors to cover a wide range of terrain while ensuring thorough treatment in areas that are otherwise inaccessible, contributing to the overall effectiveness of mosquito control efforts.
The PCMCD staff have converted weed eaters into cost-efficient handheld ULV sprayers for treating adult mosquitoes in hard-to-reach areas. Each conversion costs $450, compared to approximately $4,000 for a commercial unit. With 14 sprayers in use, that translates to a $49,700 cost savings. They provide targeted, portable insecticide application around homes, gardens, and campgrounds, improving mosquito control in inaccessible locations and enhancing overall efforts.
PCMCD utilizies different mosquito control products in our ULV machines, each with unique characteristics to suit different needs. For more information on products used, please contact the District at 727-376-4568.
