FLORIDA — Marion County will begin spraying for mosquitoes from trucks and the state of Florida will conduct aerial spraying in Flagler County to try to control the proliferation of the insects that can spread illnesses.
What You Need To Know
- Marion County is targeting the spread of mosquitoes by spraying pesticide by truck at night, officials say
- Health Department officials in Marion confirmed a fourth case of West Nile virus since July
- Aerial spraying will begin as early as Saturday in Flagler, the county announced
- Mosquitoes can spread illnesses, and standing water left behind by multiple hurricanes gives them a place to breed
The Department of Health in Marion County on Thursday announced that it has confirmed the fourth case of locally acquired West Nile virus in the county since July. Prevention efforts in the county include surveillance and “adulticide” truck treatment in identified areas. Officials did not indicate when the spraying would begin or whether it had started already.
Meanwhile, Flagler County Emergency Management, the East Flagler Mosquito Control District and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have arranged for widespread aerial mosquito spraying in the county because of a surge in mosquito populations, likely starting Saturday, Nov. 2 and continuing each night until dawn Nov. 6. Planes will fly at low altitude, applying pesticides for mosquito control at “ultra-low volume” with rates of less than an ounce per acre.
Most of Flagler county will be sprayed, but organic farm parcels and larger unpopulated natural areas will be excluded from spraying, the county said in a statement.
Mosquitoes are most active at night, when pollinators and other beneficial insects are less active and therefore avoid exposure, officials said. Honeybees are not expected to be affected, county officials said, but beekeepers will be notified by the UF|IFAS Flagler Extension Office.
Earlier in October, Orange County targeted the Alafaya, Apopka, Bithlo, Dr. Phillips, Fort Christmas, Lake Nona and Wedgefield areas for aerial spraying after West Nile virus activity was detected through Orange County Mosquito Control’s Sentinel Chicken program.
The Department of Health is continuing statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya and dengue fever. Floridians also are encouraged to report dead birds to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website, officials said.
Hurricanes Helene, Milton and Debby left a lot of standing water, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.