FAQs
The PIE Center, along with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Southeastern Regional Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases, developed answers to frequently asked questions for you to use when communicating about emergency response with members of your community. These questions are based on results of focus group research conducted by the Center for Risk Communication, as part of this project. It is important to provide consistent answers to residents when communicating about emergency response.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mosquito Control after Natural Disasters or Disease Outbreaks
KEEP EMPTY
How do natural disasters affect mosquito populations?
Following a natural disaster that causes excess standing water (hurricane, flood or heavy rain), nuisance mosquito populations greatly increase. Floodwater mosquitoes lay their eggs in moist soil, which then encases the eggs in dry soil. The eggs hatch once they are wet again from floodwater. According to UF/IFAS, one female can potentially lay up to 200 eggs per batch up to a year in advance. At the same time, disease-carrying mosquitoes can repopulate because there are more places to lay eggs. Draining standing water helps prevent mosquitoes from developing. It is also important to wear insect repellent approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants.
Why are you using planes? Why not use a different method?
Aerial application can target larger areas more efficiently than truck-mounted sprayers. It quickly reduces the number of mosquitoes in large areas, which reduces the number of potentially infected mosquitoes. The risk of a mosquito-borne disease outbreak is greatly decreased when mosquito populations are reduced. When applied according to United States Environmental Protection Agency regulation, the treatment is expected to be safe for your family since a very small amount is applied. Only two tablespoons per acre or approximately the size of a football field (or soccer field) are used. It is very important to contain any disease outbreaks to protect our community.