With rainy season in full swing, additional standing water provides ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Volusia County Mosquito Control is an integrated pest management program that includes an extensive surveillance program. Mosquito populations are tracked by species and location using mosquito traps, while sentinel chickens are used to monitor activity of mosquito transmitted viruses. The data collected is then used to develop a response plan specific to the area.
Volusia County’s Mosquito Control Plan
Larvicide operations are routinely conducted by field inspectors on the ground and also by air using a helicopter during the daytime hours. Larviciding targets mosquito larvae in the water before they emerge into biting adult mosquitoes.
When adult populations increase and risk of mosquito-borne illness is elevated, adulticide operations are planned to target flying mosquitoes. These operations are done by truck, helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft after sunset or before sunrise when pollinators such as bees are not active.
How you can Help Control the Mosquito Population in Volusia County
Mosquito Control encourages everyone to do what they can to help reduce mosquitoes by taking a walk around their home to look for any containers such as bird baths, potted plants, kiddie pools and yard ornaments that may be holding water. Emptying this water at least once a week can break the mosquito life cycle.
Areas where water cannot be drained may be a good spot for mosquito fish (Gambusia), which are provided at no cost to the public.