Mosquito prevention, or larvicide, occurs before the enemy can mature into flying adults and disperse. As with surveillance, helicopters play a vital role. Once a larvicide mission is ordered, a granular weapon is created using a larvicide mixing plant (a Sand Hog) to mix sand with a very specific quantity of liquid growth-inhibiting hormone that only impacts mosquitoes. The Sand Hog rig, a truck mobile unit staffed by mechanics in the aviation department, follows the helicopter to the battleground. There the larvicide is loaded close to the action, reducing ferry and flight time. The granular product is pumped into an Isolair 4500-500E broadcaster mounted on the helicopter. Once airborne, the broadcaster rains down a dose of death.
