Miami-Dade County offers wintertime mosquito control tips

The mercury dipped below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and the boots, jackets and sweaters finally made their appearance here in Miami-Dade County. Chilly weather and heavy wardrobe aside, mosquitoes haven't entirely gone away. Winter is no time to let one's guard down against mosquito bites. In fact, mosquito control is a year-round initiative for the County, as it should be for residents.

"Colder weather and high wind activity tend to slow down mosquito breeding and development, but they by no means drive them away entirely," says new Mosquito Control Operations Manager Dr. Isik Unlu. "As everyone living in South Florida knows, it won't be long until mosquitoes again become visible and resume their usual activity levels." Unlu recently joined the County's mosquito control division after serving in a similar capacity in Broward County, bringing a wealth of research and operations experience along with her.

The County monitors a network of 180-plus traps spread throughout urban and rural areas, responds to resident mosquito inspection requests and Florida Department of Health communicable disease reports (both suspected and confirmed), and maintains a regular truck larviciding schedule throughout the year. Best practice is always to guard against mosquito bites and the potential of the spread of disease by wearing repellent and protective clothing, as well as eliminating the standing water which is necessary for mosquitoes to breed.

Here are some additional "Fight the Bite" tips:

• Drop the larvicide Bti in dunk form into fountains, and scatter granules over bromeliads.
• Even though not in use, maintain your pool's chemistry at recommended levels and run the pump regularly.
• Change out the water in outdoor pet dishes and birdbaths frequently.
• Get rid of unused items that may collect water in your yard such as old tires, broken appliances, and planters.
• Cover your windows, doors and patios with screens; make sure existing screens do not have any holes in them.
• Keep rain gutters free and clear of debris to prevent them from accumulating water.
• Use an EPA-registered mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR-3535 as the active ingredient.

To report mosquito nuisance issues and request an inspection of your property, call 311, click www.miamidade.gov/311Direct or use the Miami-Dade Solid Waste Management Department mobile app available for iPhone and the newly launched one for Android.

For more tips and additional information about Miami-Dade County’s Mosquito Control program, please visit www.miamidade.gov/mosquito.

Like the Mosquito Control Division Facebook page here: www.Facebook.com/305Mosquito; follow @305Mosquito on Twitter and Instagram.