Unseasonably Warm, Wet Winter Causing Increase in Mosquitoes
FORT PIERCE – Above-average rainfall and temperatures are causing St. Lucie County’s Mosquito Control staff to step up mosquito-fighting services and treatments in areas throughout St. Lucie County.
Earlier this week, St. Lucie County completed an aerial larviciding treatment of nearly 450 acres of marshes and wetlands along North and South Hutchinson Island and north of the Harbor Branch Preserve. Typically, the Mosquito Control District conducts two to four aerial larvicide treatments during the May-September season. Higher mosquito populations prompted the rare wintertime aerial treatment aimed at killing mosquito larvae.
Additional nighttime truck fogging has taken place throughout the county as weather conditions allow.
Mosquito Control staff, in coordination with the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County, are closely monitoring the mosquito populations for the threat of viruses. While the Zika virus has been found in four Florida counties, health officials have not found Zika or any other viruses to be a threat to St. Lucie County residents at this time. Mosquito Control staff is working with the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor the spread of Zika and implement the latest prevention techniques.
Residents are encouraged to be proactive in reducing mosquito populations in their yards: Eliminate standing water every two to three days, use repellent out-of-doors, and wear long sleeves and long pants when enjoying our wonderful outdoors in the evenings.
For more information on current efforts to combat mosquitoes contact the St. Lucie County Mosquito Control at 772-462-1692 or check the Fogging Hotline at 772-462-1800 for the nightly spraying schedule or visit: https://www.stlucieco.gov/mosquito.
