To prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya, Broward County Public Works' Mosquito Control Section will be conducting spraying activities in specific areas of Cooper City and Davie from yesterday through Friday, June 27, according to information from a recent announcement.
The spraying operations, which are planned to occur nightly between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., will involve truck-mounted sprayers that will disseminate larvicide intended to kill the larvae of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, these particular species are known vectors for a number of tropical diseases, VectoBac WDG, a larvicide containing the active ingredient Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), has been deemed safe for humans, pets, and the environment, as stated on the same announcement.
It is important for residents to note that the larvicide VectoBac WDG chosen for this initiative is certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute and listed by the World Health Organization as a recommended formulation for controlling mosquito larvae. Furthermore, the product's environmental safety has been confirmed by its registration with the US Environmental Protection Agency, ensuring that the treatment will not harm bees, aquatic habitats, or other environmentally sensitive areas.
Broward County officials are urging residents and business owners to take proactive steps in reducing mosquito breeding grounds by eliminating standing water sources which can be commonly found in buckets, planters, tires, birdbaths, and fountains, besides the efforts of mosquito control, reducing the number of potential breeding sites is key to avoiding an uptick in the adult mosquito population that could transmit diseases. For residents facing mosquito issues, the county provides a service request option which can be accessed by calling 311 or completing the online Mosquito Service Request Form, allowing the county teems to respond effectively to areas in need, as detailed by the Town's website.
The Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division, headed by Anh Ton, P.E., remains committed to maintaining infrastructure in Broward County, which includes mosquito control as part of its purview. For more information on the division's responsibilities or the upcoming larvicide spraying, interested parties can reach out during business hours at 954-357-6040 or email [email protected].
