Sunday, June 3, 2012

Forecast for Active Mosquito Season

In anticipation of a very active mosquito season, Dr. Guangye Hu, Mosquito Control Manager, wants to remind residents to check their homes, lawns and gardens to make sure they are not creating mosquito-breeding sources. Take a look around your yard and dump out any standing water that has collected in flower pots, toys, lawn furniture or any item that holds water, including ornamental plants. Mosquitoes only need a quarter-inch of water to breed. Clogged gutters or downspouts that retain water are also a mosquito breeding ground.

"Because we had such a mild winter with minimal freezing temperatures, a good number of mosquitoes did not die off as they normally do. That factor, combined with the heavy rainfall and hot weather we are getting now, is going to result in a lot of mosquitoes very shortly", said Dr. Hu.

The staff of the Mosquito Control Department is gearing up to treat water to kill mosquito larvae in DRA's (drainage retention areas), ditches, ponds, creeks, canals, and swamps. They are also putting out mosquito fish as biological control and running spray trucks on the street at night to kill adult mosquitoes. If residents still have mosquitoes after checking their property for standing water, they should call Mosquito Control for staff to come to the area to inspect and treat for mosquito breeding.

Condemned swimming pools from foreclosures, left without pumps running and cages torn, have become a mosquito breeding paradise. Neighbors residing near these pools are encouraged to contact the Mosquito Control Department so that staff may treat the pool to eliminate the mosquito-breeding source.

Certain types of mosquitoes can carry the West Nile Virus, which can be deadly to humans and horses. Residents should use mosquito repellent if they plan to be outdoors both during the dawn and dusk hours. They should also wear long sleeves and long pants in the evening. For more information, please call Mosquito Control at (352) 540-6552, or check the Mosquito Control website at: http://www.hernandocounty.us/mosquito/

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