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Collier Mosquito Control District Expansion Brings Mosquito Control to
Thousands of Residents and Visitors

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

hen seasonal residents Residents and visitors are encouraged to proactively interact
return to our area this year, with the District to help us provide the best possible service.
W they might notice they are Unlike other parts of the country, we have a 12-month long
getting fewer annoying mosquito bites. mosquito season and treat all year round. Treatment decisions are
On October 1, 2024, the Collier Mosquito based on real time mosquito activity and do not occur on a set
Control District (District) expanded its schedule. Anyone who would like to be notified when their area
boundaries to include areas of the county is being treated can sign up for text or email notifications on our
that have been developed over the last website. Residents experiencing high volumes of mosquitoes can
20 years. Made possible by HB 509, which was sponsored by also request a field tech, and a member of our team will perform a
Rep. Lauren Melo during the 2024 Florida Legislative Session, property inspection and help to eliminate as many mosquito sources
this expansion brings our important public health services to as possible.
communities such as Port of the Islands, Ave Maria, Naples Our tropical climate and proximity to the Everglades creates
Reserve and other recently developed areas east and north of a thriving environment for mosquitoes, and it would be nearly
Golden Gate Estates. impossible to live in this area without a robust mosquito control
Southwest Florida is one of the fastest growing regions in the program. Our mission is to provide valuable service to the
country, and population projections call for exponential growth community through the suppression of both disease carrying and
here in Collier County over the next several decades. Our nuisance mosquito populations by and through the safest and most
new boundaries account for both areas that have already been economical means available. We are excited to welcome our new
developed and projected development. This ensures that when and future residents to the district, and long forward to providing
new homes are built our new neighbors will receive mosquito the same level of service that our community has been accustomed
control services from the day they move in. to since 1950.
The District’s integrated approach to mosquito management Anyone who would like to learn more about how we monitor for
has established us as an industry leader and ensures our diseases or would like a tour of the lab and other facilities,
best practices evolve as technology improves and scientific can request a tour by emailing us at info@cmcd.org.
advancements are discovered. Expanding district boundaries
also bolsters our efforts by opening up my areas for inspections
and added opportunities for field trials to help keep a couple
of steps ahead of these pesky insects. We also use biological
control methods such as mosquitofish, which can eat up to 100
mosquito larvae a day. Residents can request these fish for free,
and they are perfect for areas of contained water that can’t be
drained such as livestock troughs, rain barrels and ditches.

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, The map above shows the new district boundaries and
please visit our website at cmcd.org or call us 239-436-1000. the yellow areas highlight state and federal protected lands.

Life in Naples | November 2024 71