Sound Planning and Preparation Return to Normal

By Patrick Linn, MS, MSHAPI
Executive Director, Collier Mosquito Control District

In mid-October, our community experienced the all-too-familiar feeling of bracing for impact from yet another major hurricane. Like mosquitoes, hurricanes are a fact of life in Southwest Florida, and they are something for which Collier Mosquito Control (CMCD) actively plans.

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 Hurricane Milton approached, this preparation allowed our leadership to quickly act to shore up field data equipment, aircraft and CMCD headquarters. Mosquito traps, which can become flying hazards in high winds, were collected from the field and airplanes and helicopters were evacuated to hangars at higher elevations.

During the storm, CMCD leadership remained in continuous contact with one another and monitored facilities via live webcams. This monitoring allowed us to evaluate potential damage and make plans for the resumption of operations in real time, even as the brunt of Hurricane Milton was still battering Southwest Florida.

Storm surge from the Gordon River threatened our facilities, but thankfully receded quickly after coming within a foot of or two of breaching the CMCD headquarters. In the days immediately following a storm, it remains difficult to perform aerial treatments as lingering winds often exceed label limits for use by our aircraft. However, we do actively engage in collecting field data and tracking mosquito levels.

Our dedicated team spent the weekend following Milton resetting traps throughout the District and performing mosquito surveillance to allow us to start treating again as quickly as possible.

We have become grizzled veterans in preparing for hurricanes, and for good reason. As an example, 2022’s Hurricane Ian caused widespread damage to CMCD headquarters, resulting in months of limited access to the facility.

Every year, each storm brings its own unique set of threats, and we learn more from each one that passes our way. In any given hurricane season, we may experience alterations to our operations three to five times.

As the District’s executive director, I want to thank our entire team for their quick and careful work before, during and after the storm. It is amazing that we were able to go from zero to sixty so quickly after Hurricane Milton left our area. Collecting field data in the days following a tropical event is critically important as whole ecosystems can be drastically impacted, leading to a significant public health threat from mosquitoes (not to mention the nuisance that comes with associated increases in populations).

Our mission is to keep our community safe and comfortable from excessive mosquito populations and our team does an incredible job meeting that mission – even when Mother Nature poses these unique challenges.

Anyone who would like to learn more about how we monitor for diseases or would like a tour of the lab and other facilities, can request a tour by emailing us at info@cmcd.org.

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.