Mosquito Spraying in Several Broward Municipalities

*Larvicide targets container-breeding mosquitoes*

Submitted by Anh Ton, P.E. Director Highway and Bridge maintenance Division

        BROWARD COUNTY, FL — The Public Works Department’s Mosquito Control Section will be spraying larvicide in areas of the Broward Municipal Services District (BMSD), Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale Lakes, Lazy Lake, Lauderhill, Oakland Park, Tamarac and Wilton Manors from Aug 13 – 20, barring any unforeseen conditions and/or weather delays (see the attached map). Truck-mounted sprayers will apply larvicide between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. as a proactive measure to kill the larvae of the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, known to potentially spread diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya. The larvae of these mosquitoes can be found in small amounts of water such as in containers and water-holding plants like bromeliads and traveler’s palms that are common foliage used in landscaping.

The larvicide, VectoBac WDG, is not harmful to humans, pets, bees, aquatic habitats or environmentally sensitive areas. The active ingredient is Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti, strain AM6552), a naturally occurring, biodegradable bacterial mosquito larvicide. It is certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute and is registered for use by the US Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, VectoBac WDG has been reviewed by the World Health Organization and is listed as a recommended formulation for control of mosquito larvae.

Broward County Mosquito Control Section continues to work closely with the Florida Department of Health and Code Enforcement partners in Broward’s 31 municipalities to reduce the population of mosquitoes and their habitats.

Residents and business owners are encouraged to reduce potential mosquito breeding habitats by regularly surveying their property and removing any standing water found in buckets, tires, planters, birdbaths, and fountains. By reducing the number of mosquito breeding habitats, the number of adult mosquitoes that could transmit diseases is also reduced.

Residents experiencing mosquito problems can request service by calling 311 or by completing the online Mosquito Service Request Form.