CAMARILLO : Malathion Sprayed in Makeup Session

Making up for last week’s washed-out mission, eastern Camarillo underwent the ninth aerial spraying of the pesticide malathion Wednesday night, agricultural officials said.

Officials ordered a makeup spraying after the Feb. 7 spraying was considered ineffective because of an unexpected rainstorm, said Doug Hendrix, a spokesman for the state and federal Cooperative Medfly Project.

“We had a very successful flight,” Hendrix said. “We had no mechanical difficulties and the weather was near-perfect for this kind of operation.”

State regulations prevent aerial pesticide spray operations when winds are stronger than 10 m.p.h. or when there is a 50% or greater chance of rain within the 24 hours after an application.

Hendrix said that when the four helicopters--three spraying and one guiding--left Camarillo Airport Feb. 7, the launch met state weather requirements.

State agricultural officials and local meteorologists said they were caught off-guard by the intensity of the quick-moving storm, which essentially washed off the sticky bait mixture of malathion and corn syrup before it could dry.

Barring inclement weather, Hendrix said, the next aerial spraying will be conducted Feb. 28 at 9 p.m.