Rain brings pesky salt marsh mosquitoes to coastal areas
Posted On: August 21, 2018
The almost daily afternoon and evening storms continue to create an ideal habitat for mosquitoes in Volusia County. Most troublesome for coastal residents are the increased presence of pesky salt marsh mosquitoes. The affected areas primarily include Oak Hill, Edgewater and New Smyrna Beach.
Volusia County Mosquito Control is responding as quickly as possible by air and ground to resolve the situation. Staff is out in full force treating larval production sites in the marsh by helicopter and boat. Trucks are spraying after sunset to treat adult populations. A fixed wing aerial mission is scheduled for tonight, Aug. 21, weather permitting.
Phone lines are at capacity. For prompt service, residents may submit requests for service and view scheduled areas for treatment at www.volusia.org/mosquito. Missions are also posted on Twitter; follow @VCEmergencyInfo.
Residents of incorporated Deltona, DeBary, Orange City, Lake Helen, DeLand and Pierson should call their city to submit a request.
“Our team continues to treat the standing water on the ground during the day and adult mosquitoes at night,” said Sue Bartlett, director of Volusia County Mosquito Control. “You can help by doing your part to protect yourself and your family.”
Bartlett offers these suggestions:
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Use an EPA approved insect repellent.
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Cover up using long sleeved shirts and long pants.
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Keep mosquitoes outside. Cover windows and doors with screens.
For more suggestions, visit the Center for Disease Control web site at https://www.cdc.gov/features/stopmosquitoes/index.html.
Don’t forget to check your yard for containers (pots, buckets, tires, toys, pools, pet dishes, etc.) that may be holding small amounts of water. Pockets of standing water are prime habitat for those pesky and sometimes disease-carrying mosquitoes.
More information can also found by visiting volusia.org/mosquito and clicking on "Tips on mosquito protection."