Fogging trucks are about to become a common sight in parts of Fort Lauderdale as the city's Mosquito Control Section prepares to wage war on mosquito larvae. According to a recent announcement by Broward County, spraying is set to begin on Monday, September 30, and will continue through Friday, October 4. The efforts will take place during the early hours, when people are less likely to be outside, specifically from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The target of these nocturnal missions is the pesky Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, villains known to transmit a host of unpleasant diseases to humans. Fort Lauderdale's preemptive strike aims to quickly kill off the larvae before they can grow into full-fledged disease carriers. But residents don't need to lose sleep over the safety of these operations; the larvicide VectoBac WDG, deemed harmless to people, pets, bees, and aquatic environs, has been chosen as the weapon of choice. It's a naturally occurring bacteria-based product that not only does the job but also checks out with environmental watchdogs and health organizations worldwide.
For those who dread the thought of chemical sprays, rest assured that Broward County Mosquito Control is on the same page. They're working hand in glove with the Florida Department of Health and local Code Enforcement to curtail mosquito populations more broadly. And they’re not simply focusing narrowly on the swat of the spray; they're also looking to educate and galvanize the community to take action on their own turf.
Home and business owners are to proactively engage in their own form of mosquito control. Officials urge the public to regularly inspect their property for anything that can hold water – think buckets, tires, planters, and the like. By wiping out these potential nurseries, the hope is to ensure that adult mosquito numbers drop significantly, in turn decreasing the risk of disease transmission. For those feeling particularly besieged by mosquitoes, help is at hand; affected residents can to easily request service by phoning up 311 or filling out an online Mosquito Service Request Form.
And if you're curious about what the Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division has got to do with mosquitoes, here's the scoop: they’re the ones responsible for everything from the county's roadways to stormwater systems – and yes, even mosquito control. For more info during office hours, they can be reached at 954-357-6040.
