Mosquito Surveillance
Mosquito control begins with daily population tracking. Trapping, biting counts and client service requests all provide information upon which control decisions are based. Surveillance tells us about species composition, abundance, gauges control efforts, and provides a historical perspective. Surveillance initiates the control decision, but considerations such as weather, public exposure, environmental sensitivity and timing determine
Mosquito Source Reduction
A construction process that modifies aquatic mosquito nursery sites making them unsuitable for mosquito development. Source reduction tasks range from the disposal of waste products of society which hold water (tires, containers) to the development of mosquito management plans that address wetlands, both natural and created.
Controlling Immature Mosquitoes (Larviciding)
Here we target immature mosquitoes developing in their aquatic nursery. The advantage being the elimination of entire “broods”. Adults never emerge. Control products include a bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis, (Bti) and growth regulators that arrest normal mosquito development. As a group, the larvicides tend to be more mosquito specific.
Controlling Biting Mosquitoes (Adulticiding)
This control method is undertaken as a final recourse. The goal is a reduction in mosquito abundance. Atomized insecticides are released in residential areas to provide temporary relief. Most products are synthetic pyrethroids or organophosphates, with short residuals. All are approved for mosquito control by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.