November 11, 2024 - Pasco County Mosquito Control Efforts Update

As water still remains on the ground in low-lying areas of inland Pasco County as a result of the riverine flooding caused by Hurricane Milton, the threat of mosquito borne disease transmission remains.

***West Nile Virus activity has been identified in eastern Pasco and Hernando Counties!***

Protect yourselves from mosquito exposure by covering skin and using an insect repellent with active ingredients DEET or Picaridin. Avoid being outside when mosquitoes are most active, around dawn and dusk.

The MCIRT through FDACS is going to be conducting additional aerial adult mosquito control activities in areas of Pasco and Hernando Counties beginning on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, weather permitting. These treatments will be performed by low-flying airplanes and will occur during evening hours after sunset.

This treatment is vital in preventing further spread of West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne disease after Hurricane Milton to protect public health.

October 31, 2024 - Important Update for Pasco County Residents

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has activated their emergency Mosquito Control Incident Response Team (MCIRT) to address the surge in mosquito populations following recent hurricanes. This specialized team is currently providing adult mosquito control efforts across 20 counties impacted by the storms. To learn more about the MCIRT, click here. 

In collaboration with the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners, the Department of Health, and the Pasco County Mosquito Control District, we officially requested this critical assistance from the MCIRT through Pasco’s Emergency Management. On October 25 and 26, the MCIRT treated approximately 169,000 acres using fixed wing aircraft across Pasco County, a vital step in safeguarding public health against mosquito-borne diseases.

We are pleased to inform residents that this treatment comes at no cost to Pasco County and was provided by FDACS through federal funding.

We would like to extend our gratitude to everyone involved, especially Pasco County Emergency Management and the MCIRT, for their tremendous efforts in making this initiative a success. Together, we are committed to keeping our community safe.

Thank you for your continued support and vigilance. Don’t forget to protect yourself from mosquito exposure by doing the following:

DRAIN standing water. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Regularly check and empty items that can collect water.

• Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots, or any other containers where rain or flood water has collected.
• Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances, and other items that aren't being used.
• Empty and clean birdbaths and pet's water bowls at least once per week.
• Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
• Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

COVER skin with clothing or repellent.

• Clothing - Wear socks, shoes, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts to minimize skin exposure when outside.
• Repellent - Apply U.S. EPA-approved insect repellent to bare skin and clothing.
• Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, and IR3535 are effective.
• Avoid - Stay inside around peak mosquito activity times. Mosquitoes that can spread dengue are more active during the day, so take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites during early morning and late afternoon, as well as dusk and dawn.

COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.

• Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios to keep mosquitoes outside. This is particularly important for areas without electricity, as residents tend to leave doors and windows open until power is restored.

Stay safe, Pasco County!

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October 16, 2024 - Pasco County Mosquito Control District Intensifies Efforts Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton While Also Combating Mosquito-Borne Disease

“We understand the vital role that effective mosquito control plays in protecting our community’s health, especially following recent, back-to-back major hurricanes. Our team is fully committed to reducing mosquito populations and ensuring a safe environment for all residents and first responders.”
—Adriane Rogers, Executive Director, Pasco County Mosquito Control District,

Following the recent, back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the emergence of additional cases of locally acquired dengue virus, the PCMCD has been ramping up mosquito control efforts to protect our community from mosquito-borne disease. We want to ensure you remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions.

Our dedicated team is proactively conducting mosquito control operations. We utilize helicopter and ground applications by backpacks, ATVs, and trucks to target mosquito larvae and reduce mosquito populations before they can reach adulthood. This is before they become potential disease threats and major nuisances.

The debris left from Hurricane Helene and the flooding from Hurricane Milton have created new breeding sites for mosquitoes. We’re working hard to mitigate these areas and reduce their impact.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has been coordinating wide-are emergency mosquito control response in several affected counties, including Pasco. Treatments in Pasco are scheduled for October 25 and 26, 2024, weather permitting. This response is critical, as the storms can lead to an increase in mosquito populations and associated health risks. In fact, this year has seen an unprecedented amount of arbovirus activity in our area, including locally acquired cases of dengue virus and West Nile virus detected in sentinel chicken coops throughout Pasco County. Aerial applications to control adult mosquitoes are designed to help protect public health by controlling mosquito populations that can transmit these serious viruses. We take the decision to spray very seriously and ensure that treatment areas are posted on our website in advance, as is standard practice.

We want to assure you that your health and safety are our top priorities. We are continuously monitoring mosquito populations and arbovirus activity to evaluate the necessity and frequency of treatments based on mosquito populations and disease surveillance data. We strive to find a balance between effective mosquito control and minimizing any impact on the community. We are committed to using the most effective strategies available to mitigate these risks.

We encourage everyone to do their part: dump and drain any standing water in your yard, wear long sleeve shirts, pants, shoes, & socks, and use insect repellent.

Public cooperation is key in our efforts. By working together—both as a community and as a dedicated control district—we can effectively combat the challenges posed by these storms and keep our residents safe from mosquito-borne diseases.

A message from Adriane Rogers Executive Director following recent back to back hurricanes.