PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla.— Officials with Pinellas County's Mosquito Control are dealing with a high number of calls for service after the Tampa Bay area received a large amount of rain recently.
That includes inches from Subtropical Storm Alberto.
The county tell us the amount of calls have nearly doubled in one month.
- January: 20 calls
- February: 80 calls
- March: 97
- April: 167
- May: 285
The county has posted how you can break the cycle:
Help break the mosquito cycle
Pinellas County Mosquito Control technicians are treating known breeding areas, by ground and by air, as well as responding to calls from citizens. To request a speaker on mosquito prevention in your community or a mosquito control service in your area, call (727) 464-7503.
Right now, the problem is the standing water from the recent rainfall.
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The county suggests you remove any water at the following locations:
- Empty water from flower pots, garbage cans, recycling containers, wheelbarrows, aluminum cans, boat tarps, old tires, and buckets— any item that can hold water.
- Flush birdbaths and wading pools weekly.
- Flush ornamental bromeliads or treat with BTI, a biological larvicide available at home stores.
- Clean roof gutters, which can become clogged and hold water.
- Change the water in outdoor pet dishes regularly.
- Keep pools and spas chlorinated and filtered.
- Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito-eating fish.
- Cover rain barrels with screening.
- Check for standing water under houses, near plumbing drains, under air conditioner drip areas, around septic tanks and heat pumps.
- Take steps to eliminate standing water, improve drainage, and prevent future puddling.
- Protect your skin from mosquito bites when outdoors: wear mosquito repellent (products containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus) or long sleeves and pants. The threat of virus, although minimal, is present throughout the year, and precautions should be taken during outdoor activities. No virus has been detected in Pinellas County’s sentinel chickens this year.
For more information, click here.
