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Technically Speaking

Into the

Wild Blue Yonder

New development creates mosquito habitat in areas of A CMCD field technician looks for mosquito larvae in
Collier County. a roadside ditch.

Mosquitoes and Southwest Florida: An Inseparable Duo

by Patrick Linn, MS, MSHAPI
by Dave Trecker
Executive Director, Collier Mosquito Control District
here seems little that robots can’t do these days. In our ion cells. Some of the flying machines rest on skids, while others e live in a paradise adorned reproduction. The abundance and diversity of animals in the area
high-tech world, no one seems surprised when the bots have wheels. Most deploy multiple rotors mounted atop wings, a with breathtaking beaches, not only provide a reliable blood meal but also help mosquitoes
Tserve restaurant meals, manage warehouse storage, even kind of horizontal candelabra. Wmagnificent sunsets and an spread diseases. Birds, for example, carry viruses like West Nile and
perform surgery. What about traveling range? Depends on the business model. exquisite subtropical climate. Yet, it’s not Eastern Equine Encephalitis, which can then be transmitted by
But that’s all on the ground. The next horizon is above the Archer plans on offering commuter services – initially flying just the tourists who flock to enjoy the mosquitoes.
horizon. Airborne wonders are just a neck crick away. between downtown Manhattan and Newark airport, cutting a idyllic climate in our county. Southwest Simply put, a high mosquito population is a constant reality for
In June, the Federal Aviation Administration okayed flight one-hour taxi or train ride to under 10 minutes. Joby is targeting Florida is also an irresistible magnet for us. But we are not entirely defenseless.
testing of Joby Aviation’s electric air taxi, initially with an onboard intercity trips such as Belfast-Glasgow. Germany’s Lilium is another group – not nearly as welcome – Protection against these bothersome insects requires a collective
pilot and later without one. The California company hopes to planning for longer hauls, 150 miles or more. the ever-present mosquito. and proactive approach. The Collier Mosquito Control District
begin commercial operations in 2025. Things are moving at breakneck speed, but the euphoria of So, why is our county the ultimate playground for these works to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our residents
Similar test approval was given to Alef Aeronautics’ “Model progress is being tempered by facts. Take-off and landing sites pesky insects? through the most environmentally responsible and economically
A” flying car in July. The “Model A” will need permission from the must be leased and recharging stations built. Air management will For starters, Florida’s intricate ecosystem contributes to the viable means available. The scale of the issue calls for innovative,
National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration as well, since be complicated by drones cluttering up the sky. New regulations dense population of mosquitoes. With its lush wetlands and integrated mosquito management approaches. Also, by taking
it will travel on roads as well as in the sky. Combined driving and must be developed and tested. Costs are still out of sight. Wisk sprawling mangroves, the Sunshine State serves as a haven for simple steps, residents can make a huge impact in reducing
flight range is over 300 miles. Aero’s Gary Gysin says, “It’s like the early days of the auto over 80 species of mosquitoes. The larval stage of a mosquito’s mosquito populations and the disease they transmit.
Such approvals, even limited ones, are well overdue. industry.” life cycle occurs in water; the more stagnant the water, the more Dump standing water: Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water,
Development of electric flying machines that can transport people But the incentive is strong. Morgan Stanley analysts estimate conducive to breeding. With regular rainfall and high humidity, so remove any containers or objects that collect water around
has been going on for nearly ten years. Dozens of companies in the global industry could be worth $1 trillion by 2040 and this environment ensures a steady egg-laying habitat for female your home at least once a week – it only takes 5-7 days for adult
some 10-12 countries have invested billions in futuristic flight, over $9 trillion by 2050 with advances in battery and propulsion mosquitoes. Unlike in temperate climates, this weather pattern mosquitoes to emerge.
$7 billion in just the last two years, according to The Wall Street technology. persists year-round, allowing their numbers to stay high, even in Cover up and use EPA-registered repellent: Protecting
Journal. The future looks limitless. Heavy batteries will be replaced by the winter months. yourself from mosquito bites is key. Wear long sleeves, pants, and
Players include Volocopter (Germany) and Archer Aviation lightweight hydrogen fuel cells, extending range and increasing In addition, urbanization inadvertently plays a role in apply repellent when outdoors.
(California), both displaying prototypes at the Paris Air Show passenger capacity. Next-generation taxis will use AI-developed boosting mosquito populations. Residential areas in Southwest Maintain your yard: Cut your grass regularly, trim shrubs, and
and both hoping to ferry passengers at the 2028 Los Angeles technology for pilotless land- and air-based transportation. Florida typically have numerous man-made containers and keep vegetation away from your home. Mosquitoes love these cool
Olympics. Archer expects to get FAA certification in 2024 and We’ll be taken everywhere by all-purpose robots. structures which collect water – from old fountains and buckets and shaded areas.
deploy 6,000 aircraft by 2030. Here’s what we have to look forward to. We hail a taxi with our to clogged gutters. These unmaintained water sources offer Why are these simple tasks so important? Mosquitoes are
China is also in the mix, with its EHang 184 and XPeng X2 smart phone and are greeted by a flying car that carries us along ideal breeding spots for several invasive mosquitoes known to more than just nuisances here – they pose severe health risks, with
models. city streets. When it runs into congestion, it takes off and flies transmit Dengue virus. Development is also occurring in areas the potential to carry diseases like Dengue, West Nile virus, and
Heavy hitters like Airbus, Boeing, Delta, American Airlines, above the traffic until it can return to a congestion-free highway that are surrounded by agricultural lands and protected wetlands, malaria. If you would like more information about how we control
United and Stellantis have underwritten much of the early and bring us to our preset destination. Pretty cool. making the control of mosquitoes in these areas even more mosquitoes, please visit our website at cmcd.org or
development cost. In the Broadway musical Where’s Charley ? Frank Loesser wrote, challenging. call us at 239-436-1000.
What do the electric flying machines look like? Different “Someday there’ll be horseless carriages that fly.” The local wildlife further supports high mosquito Want to learn more about the CMCD’s operations and integrated
designs for different uses. That someday is almost here. populations. Birds, reptiles, and mammals form part of an mosquito management program? Visit our website at cmcd.org or call
All are lightweight, seating from 2 to 6 passengers. Most use Dr. Trecker is a chemist and retired Pfizer executive living in Naples. enticing menu for mosquitoes, ensuring a regular blood meal for 239-436-1000.
conventional batteries, but a few are rolling the dice with lithium-

70 Life in Naples | November 2023 Life in Naples | November 2023 71