Collier Mosquito Control District: Celebrating 75 Years

by Jonathon Little, MBA
Director of External Affairs

In 2025, the Collier Mosquito Control District celebrated its 75th anniversary of serving our community. Created in 1950 by the Florida Legislature, the District was originally known as the Naples Mosquito Control District and served just six square miles of old Naples. As the area grew, so did the District’s boundaries, and today CMCD protects 730 square miles of Collier County. This accounts for about 95 percent of the county’s population.

Expanded boundaries aren’t the only changes seen over the past 75 years. When the District began, operations consisted of a single treatment truck, often driven by the Naples city manager or other local leaders. Today, CMCD’s work looks dramatically different. The District now operates a modern fleet of airplanes, helicopters, drones, and ground trucks that work together to provide efficient, science-driven mosquito control for residents and visitors. These resources proved especially valuable during this summer’s intense salt marsh mosquito season.

The District’s evolution is rooted in its commitment to science. CMCD uses an approach known as Integrated Mosquito Management, which combines multiple strategies to reduce mosquito populations while minimizing environmental impact.

Data collection begins with routine trapping, species identification, and testing to determine where and when mosquitoes are emerging. This data guides decisions on whether and how to treat specific areas.

In the early 1990s, CMCD was a leader in developing ultralow volume aerial treatments. These treatments require less than half an ounce of material per acre. As a visual, that’s less thana shot glass worth of treatment material for an area the size of a football field. This technology allows us to conserve resources while treating and also limits the impact to non-target species.

Over the last 10 years, CMCD has also greatly ramped up its larval control efforts. Crews apply biological larvicides in standing water across wetlands, marshes, and man-made habitats before the insects become biting adults. These applications are delivered by truck, backpack equipment, helicopter, or drone, depending on accessibility and the size of the habitat.

As Collier County continues to grow, the District has expanded its boundaries and adapted its strategies to meet new challenges.

New communities, restored wetlands, and changing weather patterns all influence mosquito activity, requiring constant vigilance and innovation. Public education remains an essential component of this work. CMCD regularly engages residents through outreach events, school programs, facility tours, and seasonal reminders about reducing standing water at home.

Seventy-five years after its founding, the Collier Mosquito Control District remains a vital protector of public health and comfort. With modern tools, scientific expertise, and a mission focused on service. As we look into the future, we are working on upgrading our facilities at the Naples Airport and rejuvenating our aircraft fleet to ensure we can continue to serve the community for years to come.

Anyone who would like to learn more about mosquito control operations and would like a tour of the lab and other facilities can request a tour by emailing us at info@cmcd.org

The Collier Mosquito Control District works to safeguard the health and well-being of our residents through the safest and most economical means available.

To learn more about the Florida Mosquito Control Association, visit their website at www.yourfmca.org.

To learn more about the District or to sign up to receive treatment notifications, visit our website at www.cmcd.org.

The Collier Mosquito Control District works to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our residents through the safest and most economical means available. If you would like more information about how we control mosquitoes, please visit our website at cmcd.org or call us 239-436-1000.