Mosquito Control

Jess Knight, Division Head
(352)351-6787

Mission Statement

To protect public health in the City by larviciding known breeding areas and controlling adult mosquito problems.

Responsibility

The city is responsible for monitoring and treatment of standing water in street catch basins, subdivision drains, roadside ditches, retentions, ravines, and other city right-of-ways where mosquitoes might breed.

Treatment

Over the last eight years, the City of Ocala has contracted with Clarke Mosquito Company for their services. We currently take mosquito complaints and create work orders. The work orders are organized so that we may benefit the most residents at the time of spraying. Approximate spraying time is done after 6:00pm to achieve maximum effect. Spraying to control adult mosquitoes is achieved by an ultra low volume (ULV) application sprayed from a moving vehicle (truck) on city streets.

To further control the spread of mosquitoes before they reach the adult stage, the city's Stormwater Division start treating ponds, retentions, and ditches that hold water in April. This treatment is called larviciding and consists of dispersing BTI briquettes which will dissolve and provide thirty to sixty days of control.

Residents can help by not having any standing water in their yards from old containers, vacant pools, and old tires. Any body of water or wet marshy area can be a breeding spot for mosquitoes, even a birdbath. 

MOSQUITO CONTROL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Why do I see Mosquito Control trucks driving through my neighborhood, with lights flashing, and I see nothing sprayed out?
  • The equipment used by Mosquito Control for killing adult mosquitoes is called Ultra-low Volume spray. This equipment is designed to emit small particles of insecticide to provide good coverage without creating a cloud or fog. The trucks and sprayer are geared so the chemical will be dispersed at the correct rate, no matter the speed in which the truck is traveling. The chemicals used are the type that kill adult mosquitoes on contact.
• Are the chemicals used hazardous to my health?
  • The chemicals used to kill adult mosquitoes or their larvae have been tested rigorously and are approved for use by the United States Environmental Projection Agency and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
• Why can't you fog on a regular basis, such as once a week?
  • The Florida Administrative Code requires Mosquito Control agencies to measure mosquito activity. Only after mosquitoes reach a quantity above the normal baseline population can spray operation take place. Areas with high levels of activity are sprayed on an as needed basis.
• How long does the mosquito spray last?
  • Adult mosquito sprays are effective for only 24 hours or less. Spraying an area does not prevent mosquitoes from re-entering the area.
• Why don't you do all your spraying operations by air, instead  of using trucks?
  • State law requires us to show measurable increases in mosquito populations to justify helicopter use. Also, weather is a major factor when scheduling a fogging operation. Trucks can operate in more adverse weather conditions.
• Why do you spray for mosquitoes when I am out taking my evening walk?
  • The best time to kill mosquitoes is at dawn or dusk, when they are most active and looking for food, which is blood. It would be best to avoid walking or sitting outdoors during these times due to the heightened activity of mosquitoes and other biting insects. However, we avoid spraying at dawn when children are waiting for school buses or walking to school.
• Why do we spend so much money on mosquito control instead of letting nature take care of the problem?
  • Living in Florida would be most uncomfortable without Mosquito Control. Before modern mosquito control devices people burned rags, tires or wet wood to create smoke to drive away mosquitoes. These methods did not kill the creatures but offered some relief, while, at the same time, polluting the air and inflaming respiratory problems in some people. We do use nature to kill mosquito larvae by the use of minnows and other fish who make a meal out of the larvae.
• What is Encephalitis?
  • Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord that can be transmitted through mosquito bites.
• How can I protect myself?
  • Transmission prevention involves significantly decreasing the probabilities of mosquito bites. Preventive measures include avoiding outdoor activities after dark, when the mosquitoes are most active, wearing protective clothing (long sleeves and pants, etc.), and using repellents that contain DEET as its active ingredients.