Lee County Mosquito Control District tests new technology

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- All eyes were on the sky this morning at the Lee County Mosquito Control district as a large group gathered to test out new drone technology for possible mosquito control.

It was part of the annual fly-in at mosquito control, with representatives from across the state. But this is the first year remote-piloted air crafts were included.

Three manufacturers showed off their high-flying devices.

Leaders say they could be the future of mosquito control. Some may be used for surveillance to spot pooling water where mosquito might breed. Other models can actually spray larvicide for environmental control.

Bill Reynolds, owner of Leading Edge Associates, says the devices are all about “safety, accessibility, efficiency. It’s a very productive unit in the sense that it can treat an acre a minute, whereas a ground crew would take 4-5 hours to treat an acre with some of the conventional devices they use.”

Using the technology for this use is still far off, however. The FAA has not approved it yet and it will likely take a few more years for that to happen.