Helicopter To Spray Schuylkill River To Fight Biting Gnats

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — The Department of Environmental Protection will launch a helicopter on Tuesday to spray large portions of the Schuylkill River with an anti-biting gnat larvicide. So if you notice a chopper flying low, don't be alarmed.

The operation covers Montgomery, Chester, Berks, and Schuylkill counties, according to an announcement from State Rep. Tom Quigley.

Officials expected for the work to begin on the river in Montgomery County just north of Philadephia, and then progress north.

Authorities used a larvicide spray called Vectoac 12AS, which is a naturally occurring bacteria, according to DEP officials. The bacteria kills the larval form of the biting gnat when it is ingested.

The spray was not applied to the entire length of the river, but only every few miles in designated areas, where concentrations of gnat populations are high. Authorities said the spray was a brown liquid that has an odor of fish oil.

The chopper being used is a light gray Bell 206 L-1, with red and blue stripes, according to the announcement from Quigley's office.

Editor's note: the following pertinent information was not included in the original version of this story. The material is not toxic to fish or other aquatic macroinvertebrates, according to officials. The chopper flew around the area looking for people on the ground or obstructions in the air before spraying, the DEP said.

Image via Pennsylvania DEP