St. Lucie County to Conduct Aerial Larviciding for Mosquitoes on Hutchinson Island
HUTCHINSON ISLAND – St. Lucie County’s Mosquito Control District will conduct an aerial larviciding mission over mosquito impoundments on North and South Hutchinson Islands’ mangrove marshes starting Monday, April 18 through Friday, April 22 (weather permitting).
A small airplane will treat saltwater mangrove marshes along South Hutchinson Island between Bear Point Sanctuary and the FP&L Nuclear Power Plant; a small area of North Hutchinson Island and a small section north of FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in order to help control ongoing hatchoffs of saltmarsh mosquitoes.
Spreading granular larvicide along the marsh fringes helps to reduce mosquito breeding that could normally result as the water levels rise. The eggs of saltmarsh mosquitoes can rest in marsh soils along the edges of the impoundments indefinitely, hatching off once they are contacted by river water. Once the water levels of the impoundments are raised to control height, the water reduces further hatchoffs by covering the soil that is prime habitat for the mosquitoes.
These aerial missions are necessary to prevent large adult mosquito populations, typically caused by tidal exchange in salt marshes.
Fogging maps and schedules can be found on the district’s website at:www.StLucieMosquito.org. The Mosquito Control District is dedicated to protecting people, livestock and pets from mosquitoes and the diseases they carry.
Residents are reminded to protect themselves and their property in the fight against mosquitoes. To prevent mosquito bites, residents are reminded to wear light clothing that covers the arms and legs when jogging or walking in the evenings, as well as using mosquito repellent with DEET. Homeowners can also assist in the prevention of mosquito populations by practicing the “tip and toss” method of emptying containers that collect standing water around their homes and yards. Even a bottle cap of standing water can provide a breeding habitat for mosquitoes. Plants, especially bromeliads, can also serve as mosquito breeding grounds. However, there are commercial granules that can be purchased to help eliminate the threat.
To find out more what you can do to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes in your yard, please visit: www.StLucieMosquito.org.
