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Preparing for Salt Marsh Mosquito Season

by Jonathon Little, MBA
Director of External Affairs
ach year, as seasonal residents return north for the As the summer rainy season continues, disease-carrying
summer, Southwest Florida prepares to welcome a mosquitoes that breed in standing water become more prevalent.
Edifferent kind of visitor. Thanks to Florida’s subtropical Unlike salt marsh mosquitoes, these species often breed close
climate, mosquitoes are present year-round, but populations to homes, giving residents an opportunity to help reduce their
begin to increase significantly during the spring months. numbers. Maintaining pools and fountains, emptying containers
Late spring often marks the arrival of Aedes taeniorhynchus, that collect water, and addressing areas where water stands can
commonly known as salt marsh mosquitoes. These mosquitoes make a significant difference. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in as little
lay their eggs in mangrove beds, where eggs can remain water as a bottle cap. For standing water that cannot be drained,
dormant for years. When high tides flood these areas, the eggs residents may request free mosquito-eating fish from the District.
hatch all at once. Once they reach adulthood, large broods While salt marsh mosquitoes are primarily a nuisance, species
emerge from coastal areas and can be carried by prevailing such as Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex nigripalpus, and
winds up to 60 miles inland. Culex quinquefasciatus pose serious public health concerns. Aedes
Salt marsh mosquitoes are not known to transmit disease, mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as dengue and yellow
but they are extremely aggressive biters and can greatly impact fever, while Culex mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus and
quality of life. The Collier Mosquito Control District (the encephalitis.
District) recommends using insect repellent and wearing long Dengue cases have increased steadily in Florida over the past
sleeves when possible, to reduce exposure. Their migratory several years, leading many experts to believe the virus may now
nature makes salt marsh mosquitoes especially difficult to be endemic to the state. Increased travel between Florida and
control. District aircraft can treat mosquitoes present at areas experiencing outbreaks, including Puerto Rico, raises the
the time of application, but during peak salt marsh season, likelihood of continued cases statewide.
new broods are continuously emerging from the coast, often Throughout the summer, the District monitors Collier County
replacing mosquitoes that were just treated. daily to identify problem areas and respond quickly. Residents can
Last year, we experienced the worst salt marsh mosquito also help by following the “Four Ds”: Drain standing water, Dress
season since at least 2017. A combination of unusually high to cover exposed skin, Defend with EPA-approved repellents, and
tides and favorable weather conditions led to massive hatches, limit outdoor activity at Dusk and Dawn.
with mosquitoes emerging from coastal areas in extraordinary For more information, visit cmcd.org or call 239-436-1000.
numbers. Residents reported mosquitoes arriving from the Anyone interested in learning more about the District’s disease
coast in dense waves that made outdoor activities nearly monitoring efforts or touring the laboratory and other facilities can
impossible at times. Even with aggressive monitoring and request a tour by emailing info@cmcd.org.
treatment efforts, the season highlighted the challenge of The Collier Mosquito Control District works to safeguard the health
controlling a species that breeds far from populated areas and and well-being of our residents through the safest and most economical
travels long distances. means available.

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, please visit our website at cmcd.org or call us 239-436-1000.

Life in Naples |March 2026 71