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The A-Bee-Cs of

mosquito control

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

any of you are asking about the eff ects of mosquito Extensive studies on the eff ect of nighttime Ultra Low Volume
control treatments on our area’s bees and other (ULV) adult mosquito control applications on non-target insects
Mpollinators. In this article, I hope to address those in the United States show no evidence of material risk to pollinator
questions and provide reassurance that the Collier Mosquito health. Th e combination of timing, altitude of application, droplet
Control District is committed to the health and well-being of size, and product type all contribute to a mosquito-specifi c control
the community we serve, including the benefi cial insects who call eff ort. Further, the materials used by the District to control adult
Collier home. mosquitoes do not persist in the atmosphere or settle on surfaces.
Th e success of any integrated mosquito management program Th ey degrade rapidly with time, sunlight, and the atmospheric
requires application not only of control products, but of the changes associated with daytime hours.
knowledge and relationships between biology, ecology, and more. Many years ago, the District developed an automated
Great care is taken in planning the time of day we treat with notifi cation system that alerts enrolled residents of mosquito
materials that control adult mosquitoes. Th e District’s airplanes control treatments when their home address is included in a
apply these materials when mosquitoes are most active: during treatment area. Our county’s apiarists eagerly adopted the use of
twilight hours of dawn and dusk. Th at’s the time of day most the system, and those with concerns about their hives can verify
pollinators are not active and therefore our materials will not that their bees are inside the hives at night when treatments occur
come into contact with them. in their area. You too can register to receive these alerts using the
Th e nighttime hours also tend to move humans indoors. Th e form on our website: www.cmcd.org/spray_maps/?notify
District seeks to pose an absolute minimum of risk to benefi cial If you wish to learn more about the extensive research into this
insects, humans, and pets. Th us, great care is taken in planning topic, please visit www.mosquito.org/page/pollinators.
aerial treatments. An exception to aerial treatments occurs when
the District applies granular materials via helicopter to swamp
and mangrove areas during morning hours. Th ese products are
100 percent mosquito larvae specifi c, and daylight is necessary to
maintain safety of fl ight while applying the product.

Want to know more about the science behind mosquito control? Looking for someone to speak to your group’s next meeting?
Visit the District’s website at cmcd.org or call 239.436.1000.

34 Life in Naples | August, September, October 2022 Life in Naples | August, September, October 2022 35