PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – An around-the-clock effort of killing mosquitoes that could potentially spread diseases, not to mention cause those annoying itchy bites, is on at Broward County Mosquito Control.
They’re gearing up to spray the area with the larvacide chemicals that will go through special trucks.
BCMC showed Local 10 News how they work by spraying water through the trucks instead of chemicals.
(See the lifecycle of a mosquito)
They study the mosquitoes they’ve trapped throughout the county.
The experts working say that identifying the mosquitos helps them understand their biology and gives a better idea of their feeding habits and their biting activities.
“That gives us a really good insight of what type of treatment we need to do and where,” said Adriana Toro, Division Director of Highway and Bridge Maintenance for Broward County.
Right now that means home and area inspections for standing water and treating for larva during the day.
Also, spraying large areas to kill adult mosquitoes and larvae at night.
Residents of Broward County can submit a mosquito service request to evaluate the needs in your area.
Service requests are completed as promptly as possible depending on the volume of requests and weather conditions. You can also contact Mosquito Control by dialing 311 on a mobile device or (954) 765-4062.
Click here for Mosquito Service Request Form
Here are some tips to keep the biters at bay.
Stop Mosquitoes From Breeding
- Females breed by laying eggs in standing water, so at least once a week, empty, turn over or cover things that can hold water, such as toys, tires, buckets, birdbaths, car or boat covers, gutters, trash containers, etc.
- Store outside items in a covered area if they can hold standing water.
- Keep flower pots and saucers free of standing water and flush out water-retaining plants like bromeliads with a hose once a week.
Keep Mosquitoes Outside
- Make sure all your windows have screens and immediately repair any hole in your screens.
- Keep doors and windows shut and use air conditioning whenever possible.
Use EPA-Approved Insect Repellents
- Wear insect repellent when outdoors. Keep Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents ready to use at home and in your car. Always follow the product’s instructions.
- Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, and IR3535 are effective.
- Don’t use repellant on babies younger than two months.
- Spray the repellent on your hands and then apply to your child’s face. Avoid their eyes, nose, mouth and hands, and avoid cuts or irritated skin.
- Dress babies and toddlers in clothing that covers arms and legs, and cover strollers, cribs or baby carriers with mosquito netting.
- Don’t spray repellant on skin that will be covered by clothing.
- Repellant is applied after sunscreen.