Mosquitoes Carry Serious Diseases!

• Dengue fever
• Chikungunya
• Zika virus
• Yellow fever
• Malaria
• Eastern Equine Encephalitis
• West Nile Virus

How can you help?

Reduce the spread mosquito-borne diseases by eliminating mosquito breeding habitats, and by dumping standing water around your property. In areas where water cannot be dumped, apply larvicide to keep the mosquito larvae from developing into flying mosquitoes that can bite.  Some mosquitoes breed indoors and outdoors and bite anytime of the day or night. 
  

Eliminate Breeding Habitats

Mosquitoes can breed in small amounts of water that collect in containers like bottles, cans, cups, buckets, hoses, planters, drains and in plants such as bromeliads. The life cycle of mosquitoes is approximately seven days, so you should implement a regular routine to inspect your property for breeding habitats, dump standing water, and cover any areas that could collect standing water, especially after it rains. Place larvicide into bromeliads and any containers that cannot be dumped every two to three days.
 

Recommended Larvicide

Larvicide products last between seven and 60 days, depending upon the product type. These products are available online, at local home improvement and hardware stores, and wherever pest control products are sold. Check the product labels for specifics regarding the type of habitat for which they are most suitable, and the duration of effectiveness. Products are in the form of either briquettes, tablets or granules that contain either Spinosad or Bti, natural larvicides that are safe for pets, birds, beneficial insects and the ecosystem. Some brand names of Spinosad or Bti larvicides are Natular G, DT and XRT, MosquitoDunks®, Mosquito Bits® and Bonide Mosquito Beater®.
 
If you need assistance identifying breeding habitats around your property, please contact the Broward County Mosquito Control Division at 954-765-4062

Zika Virus

The Zika virus, a mosquito-borne virus, has been confirmed in several travelers who recently visited Latin America. The Mosquito Control Section of the Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division is working in conjunction with the Florida Health Department to monitor the suspected cases of the virus.  The Zika virus is carried by the same species of mosquito that we have been targeting over the years. In order to reduce the spread of the virus and other diseases, we are continuing to limit the mosquito population around Broward County by spraying areas with reported concentrations of mosquitoes, checking known mosquito breeding sites, treating standing water from recent rain events, and spraying in areas requested by residents. To request mosquito spraying, please use the online Mosquito Spray Request Form or call 954-765-4062.
 
The Zika virus is a flavivirus, part of the same family as yellow fever, West Nile, chikungunya and dengue. Symptoms of the virus include fever, rash, and joint pain. Zika virus is spread through the bite of the Aedes aegypti species mosquito.  This species of mosquito is often found in areas with stagnant water such as of uncovered buckets, flower pots, unused swimming pools and discarded tires.  So as to curb the spread of the virus, we urge people to dump or drain any standing water that has collected in their property.

Breaking the Cycle of the Zika Virus

There are different types of mosquitoes in Broward County. Two types of them (Aedes Aegypti and Aedes albopictus) carry the Zika virus, which is an “urban” mosquito. They like to breed in smaller bodies of water such as:

• Tires
• Planters
• Pet bowls
• Children’s toys
• Buckets
• Bottle caps

Residents and business owners are the first line of defense when it comes to reducing mosquito breeding sites. Everyone should take the time to survey their property and empty and remove all containers that hold standing water. The females like to lay their eggs in artificial containers like those mentioned.
It’s very rare that an abandoned pool will become a mosquito breeding site, and rarer still that it would breed the type of mosquito that carries the Zika virus.

Residents don’t need to be concerned about lakes, canals, roadside ditches or retention ponds either. The Aedes Aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito does not breed in those bodies of water.

Controlling Mosquitoes

The best protection from mosquito-transmitted diseases is to avoid exposure to mosquitoes.
Keep doors and windows closed.
Stay indoors at dusk and dawn.
Dress in long-sleeved and light-colored clothing in a known mosquito-infested area.
Apply insect repellent containing DEET sparingly to clothing and skin.
Inspect your yards and drains.
Store or dispose cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools or other debris that can collect and hold standing water which promotes breeding.
Flush plants weekly.
Repair leaky pipes.
Maintain and clean roof gutters.