Back to Pressroom landing page.
Aerial Spraying for Black Flies
May 02, 2024
WHO: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
WHAT: Aerial Spraying for Black Flies
WHERE: Delaware River
WHEN: Friday, May 3, 2024
On Friday, May 3rd, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will conduct spraying for black flies in Northampton County. This operation will begin at approximately 8:00 AM at Braden Air Park.
The Delaware River will be treated from the Easton area in Northampton County to the Trenton area.
The helicopter conducting the treatment will be a white Bell 206 Longranger with blue stripes with the tail numbers N660HA. DEP personnel will be on-site at all landing zones, managing the operation.
Vectobac 12AS is B.t.i. product manufactured by Valent Biosciences. The B.t.i. material is a naturally occurring bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) that kills the immature (larval) form of the black fly when they feed on it in the waterways. It is a bacterial larvicide, not a chemical, and is the only product used in Pennsylvania's waterways for black fly suppression. B.t.i. is not toxic to fish or other aquatic macroinvertebrates found in the treated waterways, degrading quickly in the environment.
Black flies, also known as biting gnats, are considered a pest that can inundate people seeking outdoor recreation in the warmer months, especially around rivers and streams.
For more information on the program, please visit the Black Fly Program website: Black Fly (pa.gov).
###