Mosquito season is here

Submitted by Joseph Marhefka

Broward County offers residents helpful tips for controlling the pesky insects

Broward County’s rainy season is upon us and each day the humidity increases as well- making a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. The Mosquito Control Section of Broward County’s Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division offers these tips to residents to help reduce the local mosquito population:

• destroy or dispose of cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools or other containers that can collect and hold standing water, which promotes breeding
• repair leaky pipes
• install screens on rain barrels and openings to water tanks or cisterns
• empty water from boats
• scrub and change water in vases holding flowers or cuttings twice each week, or grow cuttings in sand
• clean clogged roof gutters and drain flat roofs
• scrub and change water in bird baths twice weekly; empty watering areas of pets and chickens daily
• fill holes in trees with sand or mortar, or drain or spray them as required
• stock fish pools or lily ponds with minnows, which devour mosquito larvae

“Mosquitoes can be a public health issue if not properly managed,” said Joseph Marhefka, manager of Broward County Mosquito Control. “The best protection from mosquito-transmitted diseases is avoiding exposure to mosquito bites.”

Experts suggest residents keep doors and windows closed, stay indoors at dusk and dawn, dress in long-sleeved and light colored clothing when in a known mosquito infested area, and apply insect repellent containing DEET sparingly to clothing and skin.

When necessary, Broward County Mosquito Control sprays areas of the County by truck and/or plane, based on the volume of requests received from residents. To request mosquito spraying service, visit broward.org and click MOSQUITO SERVICES under Online Services, or call (954) 765-4062.