ULV Spray Equipment
The PCMCD has custom-designed and built most of its Ultra Low Volume (ULV) spray equipment for adult mosquito control. To construct these ground ULV sprayers, only the blower, engine, and nozzle assembly are purchased, while the frame, insecticide tanks, and riser tubes are welded in-house, leading to significant cost savings. The flow control system is designed to automatically adjust the insecticide output based on the vehicle's speed, ensuring the correct application rate. These ULV units have been standardized across the PCMCD fleet, making them highly reliable and easy to service, ensuring long-term, efficient use.
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.
Airboats are a key component in treating adult mosquito populations, particularly in large or challenging aquatic environments such as marshes, swamps, and floodplains. These boats are equipped with specialized spray systems that allow for the effective application of insecticides over extensive water surfaces and vegetation where mosquitoes breed. The unique design of airboats, with their shallow draft and powerful propellers, enables them to navigate through shallow and obstructed waters where traditional boats cannot reach. By using airboats, mosquito control efforts can cover large areas efficiently, applying herbicides to target mosquito larvae and reduce their populations in critical habitats.
Amphibious machines are versatile all-terrain vehicles used to treat adult mosquitoes in rugged or uneven landscapes. The spray system disperses insecticide in a fine mist, allowing for effective mosquito control in challenging environments. Technicians also use the watercraft to perform aquatic weed control, which ultimately contributes to mosquito control.
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
