Migrating Everglades Mosquitoes in the Upper Keys
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Florida Keys Mosquito Control
June 24, 2011
For Info: Coleen Fitzsimmons
(305) 292-7190
Migrating Everglades Mosquitoes in the Upper Keys
Residents throughout the Florida Keys have been experiencing record numbers of salt marsh mosquitoes. Florida Keys Mosquito Control typically sees trap numbers of several thousand this time of year but are breaking record numbers with 112,000 mosquitoes in one trap during one night in Upper Key Largo. Temperature, wind direction and rainfall are to blame for these migrating mosquitoes.
The record numbers of mosquitoes have been triggered by rainfall in the Everglades, a protected area where mosquito control is not allowed. After these mosquitoes hatched, the wind shifted direction and these mosquitoes were blown into the Upper Keys to add to the already high mosquito numbers in the area. Although the Florida Keys has not been experiencing rainfall, high tides have brought in water to low lying areas and has been seen percolating up through the ground to fill these areas. Spray trucks and aerial adulticides are being used to control the adult mosquitoes but more are migrating in every day.
Besides aerial missions to control for the flying adult mosquito, every attempt is made to stop the mosquito before it can take wing. Mosquito Control releases a larvicide, called B.T.I., aerially with helicopters. This larvicide is an eco-friendly, non-toxic product used in low-lying areas and swamps to control the salt marsh mosquito. It's an environmentally friendly bacteria infused in a corn kernal that has to be ingested by the mosquito larvae to stop the life cycle. It is 80% of what we do at Mosquito Control along with dumping water around homes and businesses, using spray trucks and using an aerial adulticide.
With the largest drought in history and without the heavy rains one would predict seeing fewer mosquitoes than previous years, but the opposite has been true. The heavy rains that usually precede the first high tide of the season and wash out leaves and other organic matter from the swamps still have not happened. All this organic matter has created another source of food for the mosquito larvae, other than our larvicide. Too much competition in the water due to the drought is working against Mosquito Control's larvicide program. More adulticide is being employed but label restrictions are frustrating to many residents.
To combat adult mosquitoes, Florida Keys Mosquito Control's aerial adulticide, called Trumpet, can only be used twice in a week in a given area. The label restriction for Permethrin which comes from our spray truck is 25 missions per year in any given area. Additional products are being tested so that we may be able to rotate adulticides when label restrictions have stopped us from using our current products.
Florida Keys Mosquito Control is working to get these mosquito numbers down to a level that makes living in the Keys bearable. We empathize with the residents and encourage requests for service and calls to answer any of your questions or concerns.
Tune into 103.1 in the Upper Keys on Monday, June 27th at 6pm to hear an interview with Mosquito Control on these issues.
A representative from FKMCD will be on hand at the Ocean Reef Chamber of Commerce meeting on July 6th, to answer questions.
Please call Mosquito Control at 292-7190 for Questions and
Service Requests.
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