MOSQUITO 101

There are over 3,000 different types of mosquitoes. In Florida we have 80 different species!

No, only female mosquitoes bite. Females need blood to make eggs. Male mosquitoes feed on plant sugar. Only some species of mosquito like to bite people.

Immature mosquitoes live and develop in standing water. The location depends upon the species. There are mosquitoes that breed in salt marshes, swamps, crab holes, ponds, swales, bromeliads and even small containers like buckets. As adults, mosquitoes prefer nice shady places around vegetation. Chances are, if mosquitoes are bothering you at home, they are liking breeding someplace nearby.

Only a small number of mosquitoes in Florida can transmit pathogens to people. Just because a mosquito can transmit pathogen does not mean it will ever be exposed to it. This means that the likelihood of a person getting sick from a mosquito bite is very low, although it is possible.

Mosquito control works closely with the Department of Health to monitor the mosquito population and prevalence of mosquito-borne disease. When mosquito populations are high or there is disease-activity within an area, we make sure to treat with both larvicides and adulticides to eliminate mosquitoes.

MOSQUITO CONTROL QUESTIONS

Spraying is conducted on an as needed basis, based upon mosquito population monitoring data. Once mosquito populations are above a set baseline, spraying for an area is scheduled. View the mosquito spray zones map. 

The products that we are currently using can be found on the mosquito control website by following the links “larvicides” or “adulticides.”

The products we use are registered and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These products have undergone extensive testing to ensure that when they applied in a manner consistent with the label that they will not have any significant adverse effects on human health or the environment.