Helicopter To Spray Length Of Schuylkill River Again To Fight Black Flies

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Authorities will take another step to reduce the black fly population along the Schuylkill River on Thursday when they launch a helicopter to spray larvicide along the river's length.

The helicopter will apply Vectobac 12AS, also known as B.t.i., along the Schuylkill between the Landingville Dam in Schuylkill County to the City Avenue Bridge in Philadelphia.

Work will cover Montgomery, Chester, Schuylkill, and Berks counties, officials said.

The spray was not applied to the entire length of the river, but only every few miles. Authorities said the spray was a brown liquid that has an odor of fish oil.

Spraying will begin at 8 a.m. The helicopter will be N653HA, a gray OH-58A model with red and blue stripes, officials said.

Image via DEP