In the battle against mosquitoes, Miami Dade County Public Works and Waste Management Department has joined forces with the Air Force Reserve Command's 910th Airlift Wing out of Youngstown, Ohio.

The reserve pilots are flying a specially-equipped 4-engine C-130H military aircraft as low as 159 feet above the ground to spray a the mosquito insecticide called Dibrom. It's EPA and State of Florida approved.

"I am so thankful they're doing that," Homestead resident Hanyzer Lee told Local 10's Baron James. "It's insane. We can't even go to the backyard, and just getting out of the car, they attack you. It's horrible."

The 3 day mission, which began Tuesday 2 hours before sunset and includes up to 30 minutes after sunset, targets mosquitoes around Homestead Air Reserve Base, Homestead, the Redlands, Florida City, areas east of US 1 and areas in the western part of the county.

According to Miami Dade County, those areas have mosquito counts that have exceeded existing standards. And the number of complaints has increased.

"All the mosquitoes on my legs, my arms, Homestead Resident Fabian Martinez said. "You get the little mosquito repellant," he said as a mosquito landed on his leg. "There's one right now. You see that (slap) oh my God that's one right there."

Beekeepers are asked to keep their bees covered during the spraying operations in their particular area. Individuals with known allergic reactions should remain indoors.

Residents who have questions about the aerial spraying, or complaints about mosquitoes, can call the County's Answer Center at 3-1-1.