Mosquito control and Florida beekeepers

Mosquito control and Florida beekeepers

As Florida continues to recover from the effects of Hurricane Irma, many mosquito control districts in the state are temporarily stepping up their spray programs. It is important to realize how and why this is an important response to strong storms that bring rain and flooding. According to UF urban entomologist Dr. William H. Kern,

The purpose of mosquito control is to protect human and livestock health. Most of the upcoming spraying or larviciding is to control floodwater mosquitoes… Areas that were dry before the storm and now hold water, are the concern with flood water mosquitoes and these are the areas that are likely to be sprayed. Swales, depressions, road ruts are examples of places that flood water mosquitoes breed in huge numbers due to the lack of fish to eat the larvae. Areas flooded by expanding streams, lakes, ponds, and canals produce fewer mosquitoes because mosquito fish are good at spreading with these expanding waters.