SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Some Central Florida counties are preparing to get a recent spike in the local mosquito population because of Hurricane Ian flooding under control.

On Monday, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced that about 48,000 acres in the eastern rural areas of Seminole County — including Lake Jesup, Lake Harney, Geneva, Chuluota, and Black Hammock, and Oviedo — will be treated, weather permitting, on Monday night. 

If it is too windy or rain and cloud cover do not permit, the spraying will be rescheduled, likely for Tuesday, the state said.

The announcement came after Orange County Mosquito Control (OCMC) already had announced it will go out with aerial mosquito treatments on Monday, Oct. 17.

OCMC said they have identified about 93,000 acres in Orange County with an increased mosquito population that will receive the treatment. The areas that will be treated include Apopka, Bithlo, Christmas, Hunter’s Creek, Union Park and Wedgefield. 

Mosquito Control officials report that mosquito populations, particularly in areas not accessible by vehicle, continue to rise, elevating the level of nuisance mosquitoes as well as mosquito types that can transmit illnesses to people. 

No precautions are necessary to safeguard livestock, pets or gardens, according to OCMC.

Brevard County Emergency Management Office will begin mosquito treatment west of I-95 starting Sunday night, according to a post on Twitter. Areas not completed will be done Monday night.

Flagler County Emergency Management and East Florida Mosquito Control District announced they have been working with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to bring planes for aerial spraying – something that may happen next week. 

Officials said that aerial treatment is the most effective way to combat high mosquito populations across large acreage and in areas not accessible or manageable by ground.