Heliwest has won a contract from Western Australia's Department of Health to provide aerial application of mosquito larvicides to coastal wetlands in the southwest of the state.
The aerial larviciding program targets mosquito larvae to prevent them from developing into adult mosquitoes with the potential to transmit Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses.
Under the contract, Heliwest, WA’s largest on-shore helicopter company, will use a Bell 206 Jetranger fitted with specialised equipment capable of broadcasting liquid and granule mosquito control products for control programs in the Peel, Leschenault, Capel and Busselton regions.
Heliwest CEO David Grimes says he’s delighted his company had been chosen to participate in this important public health program.
“Time is of the essence to prevent the larvae emerging as adult mosquitoes,” Grimes says. “Aerial larviciding by helicopter is a fast and efficient method of dealing with the mosquito problem. The helicopter is able to cover a large area in a relatively short time.”
Heliwest’s contract with the Department of Health runs for the next three years, with the possibility of two one-year extensions.
Heliwest's Bell 206 JetRanger fitted for larviciding work. (Heliwest)
