2008 News

April 24, 2008

Pennsylvania DEP Officials to Spray Bucks County Delaware River Basin for Black Flies on Friday, April 25
Helicopters to Be Visible between Slateford, PA and Yardley, PA

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, as a public-safety measure of its routine environmental treatment program, will conduct a black fly suppression operation on Friday, April 25, beginning at 8:00 a.m. The helicopter applicators will start in Northampton County and continue south and west throughout the day.

Residents of Bucks County’s Delaware River communities should be advised that helicopter pilots may use several landing sites during this operation, including the Riegelsville Borough Park, the Erwinna/Delaware Valley Fire Co. in Tinicum Twp., and the Slack Road Farm in Upper Makefield Twp.

In addition, the Tohickon Creek may be treated between Rte. 611 and the Delaware River depending on the stream flow.

The operation will include a gray and white Bell UH-1H helicopter with the tail number N658HA. Pilots will be applying VECTOBAC 12AS to the waterways to reduce the numbers of adult black flies that hatch from the river and streams. The product is a brown, slightly sticky liquid with a fish like odor. Its active ingredient is a naturally occurring soil bacterium and not a synthetic pesticide. It will be applied perpendicular to the stream flow in multiple locations along the rivers and streams. A product label is available upon request.

For additional information about black fly suppression, please visit the website www.depweb.state.pa.us/blackfly.