Through subtle evolutionary changes, mosquitoes have proven to be one of the hardiest creatures on this planet. They are also one of the most bothersome and deadly creatures known on Earth. When mosquitoes bite people they spread diseases that can range from uncomfortable illnesses to death. Mosquito bites claim 750,000 lives a year, half of which are caused by the mosquito borne illness malaria, followed closely by Dengue fever.

As the weather begins to warm up, the 3,500 different species of mosquitoes begin to emerge. In some parts of the world that have a constant warm and humid climate, mosquitoes can be found year round. Though each region has different varieties of the pest, they all share one common trait, the need for still standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in warm bodies of still water. These bodies of water can be a small puddle in the backyard, or large ponds, lakes, and marshes. Throughout the world it has become the job of pest exterminators to treat such areas prone to large mosquito populations. In Flathead, MT the mosquito populations have become so intense in recent years that the official county health department website has a whole section dedicated to educating people about mosquitoes.

In northern Montana, Flathead is the state’s 4th most populous county and home to Flathead Lake. The Flathead County Mosquito Control (FCMC) was established to address the county’s mosquito problem. As stated on the county website their goal, “first is to protect the citizens of Flathead County from mosquito born diseases such as West Nile Virus. The second goal is to reduce the negative impact of nuisance mosquitoes on outdoor activities. These goals are achieved through a comprehensive approach, employing integrated pest management principles in a program that is environmentally responsible, fiscally prudent and operationally effective.” Jake Rubow, a technician for FCMC, said that while the 2019 season was a bit slow, the 2018 season was one of the worst he had ever seen. In Montana alone there were over 44 mosquito related West Nile Virus cases, one of which resulted in death. Due to an unusually warm winter, the 2020 season is looking to be even worse.

But now, Jake will have a new tool at his disposal to make treating mosquito breeding grounds more effective. In 2018 the FCMC approached the city council to approve a program that would allow them to use a drone to spray larvae insecticides, however the proposal was initially denied. This did not stop Jake from pursuing the idea of using a drone to treat for mosquitoes, a tool that has been successfully used to treat mosquitoes in other areas of the world. Jake had to rewrite the program to prove the efficacy and safety of the drone, and become a licensed drone operator before finally being approved by the county commissioners. The FCMC was granted $23,000 to create a mosquito controlling drone program, the only one in the state of Montana. “We are anticipating that this will allow us to more easily access areas where for one reason or another mosquitoes are more dense, whether that’s in thick woods or a flooded area,” Jake said.

Using a program similar to Google Maps, Jake plans to fly the drone over areas of still water that have been known to be breeding hot-spots for mosquitoes. The camera on the drone will allow him to see if indeed there are larvae nests to be treated. Once identified, the drone will then apply an insecticide that is safe for humans to kill off the larvae, halting the spread of the insects. Before Jake can start using the drone on the more than 450 acres of land they suspect will need treatment, the drones need to be put through a trial run. Luckily, local farmers have happily agreed to let the FCMC test out the drone over their properties.

Once the trial is done and the drone is properly calibrated, Jake hopes to begin treating the areas around Flathead Lake. As the lake naturally floods and recedes, the marshy grounds surrounding it become densely populated with mosquito larvae. Using a drone to cover these areas could save the FCMC countless hours and give them the opportunity to curb a mosquito infestation. Jake wants to assure people that the drone will not be flying over anyone’s private property as this would be a violation of the FAA’s regulations. That being said, he wants to urge people to do their part in reducing mosquito populations. “Any items around individual properties that can hold standing water, like tires and buckets, are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes,” Jake said. “Keep those empty and keep your grass mowed.”