Miami-Dade offers wintertime “Fight the Bite” mosquito control tips to residents

The annual reprieve from the heat and pouring rains has arrived in Miami-Dade County, but that doesn’t mean that mosquitoes have gone away. Because most species remain active at temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it is imperative to take steps to eliminate possible breeding sites and prevent bites, especially because of the possible spread of mosquito-borne illness.

"Because Miami-Dade remains under a Florida Department of Health (FDOH) mosquito-borne illness alert due to imported cases of dengue, we must all take steps to drain any and all standing water to prevent breeding," says Miami Dade's Solid Waste Management Department Director Aneisha Daniel, PhD. "It's also a good idea to cover exposed skin with loose-fit clothing or an EPA-registered repellent. Our Mosquito Control Division stands ready to deliver excellence every day, regardless of the time of year."

Surveillance of the mosquito populations through a network of more than 320 traps remains the most important way the County keeps tabs on mosquitoes. "Our trap data guides everything we do," offers Mosquito Control Division Chief Dr. John-Paul Mutebi. “We are monitoring species, numbers, gender, and the  presence of diseases." No stranger to the area, Dr. Mutebi was with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the 2016 Zika outbreak and led the federal response to it.

The division continues to offer domestic and commercial mosquito inspections to any residence or business located within Miami-Dade. Once a new service request is initiated, an inspector is dispatched within one to two business days. The highly trained personnel seek mosquito breeding sites and eliminate any discovered. In addition, they treat bromeliads with larvicide containing Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), and stock abandoned pools with mosquito-eating fish called Gambusia. Staff can also fumigate by backpack or thermal fog units.

The best ways to request an inspection are by calling 311, using the web at miamidade.gov/mosquitoinspection, or downloading and installing the MDC Solid Waste mobile app for Android and iPhone. The division also continues to treat storm drains with a larvicide containing Bti to limit mosquito breeding in them.

Here are some additional tips for wintertime protection from mosquitoes:

•    Select a mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin (safe for use on fabrics), oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR-3535 as the active ingredient
•    Frequently change the water in outdoor pet dishes and birdbaths to keep pets properly hydrated AND cut off the mosquito life cycle
•    Use a larvicide containing Bti to limit breeding in bromeliads, fountains and decorative ponds (available in granular and dunk forms)
•    Get rid of any objects not in use such as trash, toys, planters, tires, and home appliances that could collect rain or irrigation water and facilitate mosquito breeding
•    Make sure that rain gutters are free and clear of leaves and branches that could clog them and cause mosquitoes to breed in them
•    Fill tree and lawn holes that can collect water and breed mosquitoes with soil or sand
•    Install fine mesh screening on doors, windows, porches, or patios to keep mosquitoes outside, and keep existing screens in a good state of repair

For more information about the County's mosquito control division and additional safety tips and resources, navigate to miamidade.gov/mosquito.