Black fly spraying on Monday

LOCK HAVEN, PA – Clinton County government Monday posted word on another round of aerial spraying for black fly suppression:

An aerial black fly suppression operation has been scheduled for Monday, August 1, 2022 on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and local streams including Sinnemahoning, Pine, Loyalsock, Penns, and Middle Creeks. This operation will begin near Clearfield Monday morning and will move down river through the day. It is possible the operation will continue into Tuesday morning, ending near Selinsgrove. This aerial application will include flights in Clinton, Lycoming, Snyder, Union, Northumberland, and Clearfield Counties. The helicopter will be a Bell 205 with the tail number N658HA and is grey with blue striping.

Please note, this is a largerhelicopter than is typically used for this operation, therefore it will be louder and more noticeable.

Helicopter Applicators Inc. will be dispersing Vectobac 12AS, which is a Bti product manufacturedby Valent Biosciences. Bti is short for Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, which is a bacterial larvicide, not a chemical, and is the only product used in Pennsylvania’s waterways for black fly suppression. Vectobac 12AS is a thick brown liquidresembling chocolate milk. The helicopter will fly low near tree top level and release the Vectobac 12AS at various predetermined positions on the river. Attached is a copy of the Vectobac label and an SDS sheet in case you would need information on theproduct.

If you have any questions regarding these operations or the Program in general, please contact 570-327-3782 or email krbrown@pa.gov.