Page 36 - LIN-Jan-ForWeb

How do mosquitoes

impact life in

Collier County?

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

Most Americans today have lost and West Nile virus. Year-round, the Aedes aegypti mosquito lives close
their fear of mosquitoes. The bothersome around our homes, and it’s known to spread many tropical diseases that
insect is seen mostly as a pest that ruins a are dangerous to humans including yellow fever and Zika.
morning walk with the dog or a peaceful
Since 1950, area residents have looked to the Collier Mosquito
sunset on the beach. Rarely do people
Control District (CMCD) to help minimize the negative impacts
today respond to mosquito bites with
these insects have on public health and comfort in our area. CMCD’s
concern for their health.
mission is to use methods and tools--based on sound science--
Yet, the tiny mosquito kills more than to reduce mosquito populations of both nuisance and disease-
700,000 humans worldwide annually, carrying mosquitoes. Based at the Naples Municipal Airport, we
making it the deadliest animal on the employ scientists, pilots, and other professionals who support the
planet. Diseases such as yellow fever, organization’s mission of suppressing mosquitoes for public health
dengue, malaria, and West Nile virus claim thousands of lives each year. and comfort through the safest and most economical means available.
From distributing free mosquitofish that eat larvae in standing
Collier County residents and visitors today no longer fear malaria
water to aerial missions dispersing materials that target flying
as the early Southwest Florida settlers did, thanks in large part to
adult mosquitoes, control efforts are all part of an integrated pest
ad valorem-supported mosquito control efforts. We now live in a
management program.
habitable paradise, even though we share the area with more than 40
species of mosquitoes year-round. By monitoring and controlling mosquito populations in Collier
County, CMCD has minimized the presence of disease, but
The various species’ behavior and the weather conditions
mosquitoes will always be endemic to Southwest Florida. That’s
determine where the insects are most prevalent in the county
why we encourage our residents to contact us with any questions,
throughout the year. For example, the nuisance Salt Marsh Mosquito
invite us for educational presentations, or schedule a visit to
is a Spring species that can travel up to 40 miles on the wind from its
our facilities for a tour to learn more about our operations and
breeding grounds in coastal mangroves. That insect’s unique behavior
mosquito control methods
of flying in thick, dense clouds has the ability to suffocate livestock
by clogging animals’ airways. The last time they killed cattle here was
during the late 1980s.
Contact our main office at (239) 436-1000, visit our website at
In the Fall, the inner reaches of the county can experience an www.cmcd.org, follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@CollierMosquito), or
increase in Mansonia and Culex mosquitoes. While Mansonia is a download our mobile application in the App Store and Google Play (search
nuisance, the Culex has the ability to transmit St. Louis Encephalitis for Collier Mosquito).

36 Life in Naples | January 2019