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SCHD utilizes a multi-tiered
approach to controlling mosquitoes in Sarasota County.
For Mosquito Management information:
All locations - (941) 861-5000
Personalized property inspections
Mosquito Management technicians are
available to help you solve your mosquito problems. They will seek the
source of the problem and provide easy, no or low-cost solutions. During
a "house call," the technician will look for mosquito nurseries found in
stagnant water, make landing counts and collections and may set an
overnight trap for adult mosquitoes. If larvae are found, technicians
will seek to eliminate the source or provide mosquitofish to eat the
larvae, where practical. If necessary, they will treat water with a safe material that
affects only mosquito larvae. When flying, biting mosquitoes are
present, technicians may "spot treat" with a gasoline-powered sprayer
using the same type of insecticide found in household insect sprays.
Call for more information.
Integrated Pest Management
The Mosquito Management program is based on integrated pest management (IPM)
methods. IPM combines biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools
in a way that minimizes health, environmental and economic risks. IPM
starts with preventing or eliminating mosquito breeding sites. Staff
uses the least toxic practical methods in a "precision targeting"
approach.
Spraying for adult-stage
mosquitoes is done according to state guidelines and only when necessary to protect the health and well-being of the public.
Larval management:
Technicians routinely inspect for mosquito larvae and adults. If
appropriate, they treat stagnant water to eliminate mosquito larvae
before flying, biting, adult mosquitoes can emerge. The larval habitat
characterization program allows Mosquito Management to pinpoint larval
habitats for treatment by hand, air, or truck through extensive GIS
mapping.
Habitat elimination:
Mosquito Management Services works to eliminate mosquito-breeding
habitats wherever possible. Emphasis is put on controlling water lettuce
and water hyacinth, exotic (non-native) plants that support larval
mosquitoes.
Prevention staff works with developers
and civil engineers to advise on building and maintaining storm water
systems that do not produce mosquitoes. Recommendations may include
stocking new systems with mosquitofish, constructing "minnow sumps" in
retention ponds to carry mosquitofish through the dry season, building
dry-down systems that only hold water for three to four days, and
maintaining systems so that water flows and mosquito-producing exotic
aquatic plants, such as water lettuce and water hyacinth, are removed.
Biological mosquito control
Mosquito Management Services stocks permanent and semi-permanent water bodies with
minnows called "mosquitofish." These native fish eat mosquito larvae in
ponds and lakes, ditches, rain barrels, water gardens, animal troughs
and other potential sources of mosquitoes.
Sarasota County residents may inquire
about obtaining mosquitofish by calling (941) 861-9740.
Community outreach
Mosquito Management Services provides presentations for homeowner's
associations and other public and private organizations on prevention of
mosquitoes around homes and avoidance of mosquito-transmitted diseases.
Presentations are customized for each audience and handouts
are provided.
Mosquito Management Services
provides classes for students of all ages on mosquito biology,
mosquito borne diseases, and mosquito control methods. Science
teachers can also request classes on aquatic insects or
bioassays on the efficacy of larvicides. Students are encouraged
to ask for mentoring on related science projects.
Mosquito-transmitted diseases
Mosquito Management Services works
closely with other SCHD offices to monitor and prevent the transmission
of diseases by mosquitoes.
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