Don’t Forget About Mosquitoes in Your Hurricane Preparation

by Johnathon Little

Like mosquitoes, hurricanes are a fact of life in Southwest Florida, and they are something that Collier Mosquito Control (CMCD) actively plans for. Our area has received multiple blows from major hurricanes in the last three years, and this planning allows CMCD to stay operational for as long as possible as a storm approaches and resume operations quickly after the storm passes.

Planning for hurricanes starts well before a potential tropical threat pops up on the radar. CMCD reviews its plan every May and team members are assigned to specific roles before hurricane season begins. As hurricanes approach, this preparation allows our leadership to quickly snap into action to shore up field data equipment, aircraft and CMCD headquarters. Mosquito traps, which can become flying hazards in high winds, are collected from the field and airplanes and helicopters are evacuated to hangars at higher elevations.

Residents can also take steps to prepare before and after a hurricane arrives. Just as someone would stock up on canned goods, batters and prescription medicines, people should also make sure they have a healthy supply of mosquito repellent. People often spend more time outdoors after a storm, especially if they lose electricity and air conditioning. Having an EPA approved repellent on hand can help keep your family safe from annoying mosquitoes at a time when conditions are ripe for mosquito activity. The Collier Mosquito Control District recommends repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR3535.

Depending on the severity of the storm, it could take a day or two before CMCD can resume normal operations. However, there are things people can do after a hurricane passes to help take care of their property and limit the opportunity for mosquitoes to breed. This includes dumping out any containers of water that may have accumulated during the storm. If there is any standing water or sustained flooding, Collier residents can request free mosquitofish that eat up to one hundred larvae a day. Mosquitofish are also a great option for swimming pools that fill with storm water until they can be drained and cleaned.

In the days directly following a storm it remains difficult to perform aerial treatments as lingering winds limit our ability to send out planes and helicopters. However, that does not stop us from gathering field data and tracking mosquito levels. After a storm, our dedicated staff works on performing mosquito surveillance and resetting traps throughout the District to allow us to start treating again as quickly as possible.

Hurricane preparation is second nature in Southwest Florida, and these tips can help those in the path of a storm remain safe and comfortable from the threat of mosquitoes in the days and weeks that follow.

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.