YORK, Pa. — The York County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) on Monday alerted residents that a helicopter will conduct spraying operations to help control gnats in multiple counties across Central Pennsylvania -- including York County.
Operations in York County, which are being performed by Gettysburg-based Helicopter Applicators Inc., were scheduled to begin Monday morning, county officials said on Facebook.
The helicopter will be dispersing Vectobac 12AS, which is a Bti product manufactured by Valent Biosciences.
Bti is short for Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, which is a bacterial larvicide, not a chemical, and is the only product used in Pennsylvania's waterways for black fly suppression, the OEM said.
Vectobac 12AS is a thick brown liquid resembling chocolate milk, county officials said.
The helicopter -- black with silver strips, tail number N651HA -- will fly low near tree top level and release the Vectobac at various predetermined positions on each creek.
There is no danger to the public, county officials said.
