ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. – The Elkhart County commissioners decided on using an aerial spray as part of a mosquito control effort aimed at combating Eastern Equine Encephalitis. County officials are targeting October 2 for the date of the aerial spray.

Despite EEE only being detected in horses in Elkhart County, officials say that the seriousness of the illness and number of human cases in nearby Michigan prompted the decision for an aerial spray.

The pesticide used for the spray is Dibrom, which is approved by professionals and will be used in a low volume.

Dibrom immediately breaks down upon release into the air and when in water and sunlight.

October 3 is the backup date for the aerial spray. The spray is expected to kill 90 percent of the mosquitoes.

Horses in Elkhart that contracted EEE were mainly located in the south Bristol and west Middlebury. Mosquitoes carrying EEE were also found in Boot Lake—officials call it a sample pool.

Elkhart County residents are urged to continue to take precautions until the first hard freeze, including:

• Avoiding areas where mosquitoes breed,
• Staying indoors when mosquitoes are active,
• Utilizing an EPA-registered insect repellent; and
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants in areas of high mosquito activity.

In addition, residents are urged to check their property for mosquito breeding sites and take the following actions:

• Empty containers that are holding water,
• Unclog gutters,
• Keep overgrown vegetation mowed,
• Dispose of old tires and
• Maintain screens in doorways and windows.
• Swimming pools should be maintained clean and operational;
• Ornamental ponds should be aerated to prevent the collection of mosquito larvae.

For more information about EEE, visit the CDC’s website.