BREVARD COUNTY, Florida – Brevard County officials are warning residents to brace for an anticipated onslaught of mosquitoes following recent rainfall across Florida’s Space Coast.
The impact could be felt as early as Sunday, June 12, 2017, and is expected to continue through Thursday, June 15, 2017. Chris Richmond, operations manager for Brevard County Mosquito Control, said the entire county will experience a series of large emergences of mosquitoes.
“This means that on each of those days new mosquitoes will emerge from breeding areas and take flight,” Richmond said. “We attempted all the possible preventative measures but the unusual rains during the daylight hours, and other factors outside of our control, have hindered pre-hatch and larval control efforts.”
Brevard County residents are encouraged to take personal pro-active measures to avoid mosquito bites, including the use of mosquito repellent, wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants while outdoors, and avoiding places and times when mosquitoes bite. Generally, the peak biting periods occur just before and after sunset and again just before dawn.
Richmond said Mosquito Control will address the most-infested areas first. Severity of infestation is based upon data from 88 mosquito monitoring stations at locations that are monitored and checked daily throughout the county.
“These emergence events may be larger than what most people have experienced previously,” Richmond said. “We will do our best to address the issue as quickly as weather conditions allow. We anticipate all mosquito control resources to be fully engaged with this effort for the next two weeks.”
Any rain event will cause mosquitoes to hatch in a 5- to 7-day period in any area that holds water.
Brevard County is only 10 days into the rainy season, which runs June 1 to November 30. The forecast through Monday, June 19, includes chances for rain and showers each day. Mosquito treatment by truck or air cannot take place if it is raining or winds exceed 10 to 15 mph.
Image credit: University of Florida
