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One bite from a single mosquito infected
with West Nile virus has the potential
to cripple – or kill – a person.

How Do Mosquitoes Impact Life in Collier County?

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

t’s fair to say that most Floridians today notified immediately by the Florida Department of Health when a
have lost their fear of mosquitoes. The human case of mosquito-borne disease is diagnosed in our county.
Idays of rampant, deadly mosquito-borne In both cases, evidence of disease in mosquito populations requires
disease outbreaks in Florida are merely long- the District to quickly take action to prevent an outbreak.
ago events we learn about in history books. Some mosquito species don’t pose a risk to human health,
Yet, the tiny mosquito continues to kill but can greatly impact comfort, such as the nuisance Salt Marsh
more than 700,000 humans worldwide Mosquito. They hatch in the spring when king tides rise in the
each year, making it the deadliest animal on coastal mangroves. These Aedes taeniorhynchus emerge by the
the planet. Diseases such as Yellow Fever, millions in thick clouds of swarming, hungry mosquitoes, and can
Dengue, Malaria, and West Nile virus claim thousands of lives travel more than 40 miles on winds. During the late 1980s, dense
each year. populations of the Salt Marsh species killed cattle in southern
Collier County residents and visitors today no longer dread Collier County by clogging their airways. Their aggressive biting
mosquito-borne threats as early Southwest Florida settlers did, behavior and immense numbers can greatly affect the quality of life
thanks in large part to the state’s mosquito control agencies which of those living along the Gulf Coast. When Salt Marsh mosquito
were constitutionally created. Supported by an ad valorem tax populations become excessive, the District acts quickly to reduce
assessed to those who lived within the 6 square miles of Naples their numbers.
in 1950, a single fogger mounted on the back of borrowed truck An abundance of water and nearly year-round subtropical
heralded the humble beginnings of Collier Mosquito Control temperatures mean that mosquitoes will always be endemic to
District. Southwest Florida. Without mosquito control efforts, it’s doubtful
Mosquitoes still impact our daily lives in Southwest Florida. that Neapolitans could enjoy dining al fresco or bask on our
As of today, the District’s scientists have identified more than 50 beautiful beaches. Real estate values would be dramatically lower,
different mosquito species in our area. Of those, five are closely and our tourism industry would suffer. One can easily surmise
monitored because of their ability to carry diseases, including West that without mosquito control (and air conditioning), living in
Nile virus, Dengue, Yellow Fever, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Southwest Florida would not be desirable.
and St. Louis Encephalitis. Want to know more about the science or operations of mosquito
During the past three years, the District has battled these control? Call us to arrange tour for your group! Need an informative
species to prevent outbreaks of West Nile virus and Dengue presentation at your group’s next meeting?
after the diseases were found in local mosquito populations. The We can be there!
District’s scientists trap and test mosquitoes weekly in our onsite Visit the District’s website at cmcd.org or call 239.436.1000.
laboratory for the presence of viruses. As well, the District is

Life in Naples | March 2023 71