The Okaloosa County Division of Environmental Services began spot spraying in May. On Monday, May 19, the standard evening broadcast spray schedule will begin, weather permitting.
MONDAYS:
John Riley Barnhill Road to Escambia Farms
Beaver Creek to Baker
Crestview: Rattlesnake Bluff and Little Silver Road, Live Oak Church Road to John King, Hwy. 90 East to county line Road and north to Poverty Creek Road
Destin, FWB( Brooks street going west)
Mary Esther, Wynn Haven Beach, and Valparaiso.
TUESDAYS:
Vinson Ray Road east side of Hwy 189 to Laurel Hill
Wilkerson Bluff Road to Log Lake (Holt) west to County Line Road
Crestview: John King to Hwy 90 East to Shoal River ridge, Old Antioch to Hwy 90 West
Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Wynnehaven Beach, Bluewater Bay and Cinco Bayou.
WEDNESDAYS:
Galliver Cut Off to Milligan and back to Baker
Garden City to Laurel Hill
Crestview: Old Bethel Road to Airport Road, south of Hwy 90 west to Duggan Street. Fairchild Road to Hwy 85 to Airport Road
Shalimar, Streets off of Lewis Turner Blvd. and Niceville
THURSDAYS:
Poverty Creek Road, Hwy 393 to Campton, Old River Road to Vinson Ray Road (from Milligan to Baker)
Crestview: Lake Silver Road to Airport Road to Auburn area
Poquito Bayou area, Ocean City, Mooney Road area, and Niceville.
Okaloosa County Mosquito Control and the Florida Department of Health urge the public to remain diligent in their personal mosquito protection efforts. These should include remembering to “SWAT.”
§ Stay inside with screened doors and windows when mosquitoes are biting (dusk and dawn).
§ When outside, wear clothing that covers skin.
§ Apply mosquito repellant that includes DEET [N, N diethyl-m-toluamide] on your skin when you are outside
§ Turn over standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs or better yet – rid your outdoor area of standing water in which mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
Remember to apply all mosquito repellants in accordance with the recommended frequency and methods suggested by the manufacturer.
The Florida Department of Health now recommends the following mosquito-borne illness recommendations:
DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying:
• Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain 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 pets water bowls at least once or twice a 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 shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
Repellent: Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective. Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house:
• Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.
The County Mosquito Control Program sprays for mosquitoes county-wide excluding federal and state-owned land and entities who have contacted the MC Program for inclusion on the no-spray list. Mosquito spray trucks generally operate from 7 p.m. until 12 p.m. but could also operate in the early morning hours. Surveillance activities may indicate certain types of mosquitoes known to be disease vectors being active during other time periods than noted. If this is the case, the County will respond appropriately. The following is the Okaloosa County spray route schedule and justification of mosquito populations.
Areas of Concern:
§ Wetlands;properties bordering Eglin A.F.B., which are not treated; and property owners unaware that they are creating mosquito breeding sites.
§ Standing water; eliminating should be at the top of everyone’s ‘to do list’ right now!
§ Children’s pools, plant pots, old tires*, leaf piles, pet watering bowl and gutters should be checked daily for standing water. Even something as simple as a soda lid can literally breed hundreds of mosquitoes.
* Waste tires can be disposed of FREE at the South Okaloosa County Transfer Station and the Baker Landfill. – this applies only to local households and not businesses. Tire sizes are limited to passenger car and light truck tires.
Quantities limited – 5 tires per household/month.-more-
In addition to spraying, the county has an aggressive larvaciding program in place that includes more than 1,670 sites treated and are checked on a regular basis. Additionally, more than 750 ponds and areas with standing water are treated with gambusia fish, which eat mosquito larva and reproduce at incredible rates.
Residents are also reminded to have outdoor animals vaccinated against disease. Horses should be vaccinated against Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Although West Nile and EEE can occur throughout the year, peak season is August, September and October. Horses must receive two vaccine injections 3 to 6 weeks apart and then it is recommended every 3 to 6 months. Dog owners are also reminded to have pets treated for heartworms, as mosquitoes carry the disease as well.
The Mosquito Control Division of Public Works is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and may be reached at 651-7394 or 689-5772. Mosquito spray schedule, preventative tips and other related information is available on the county’s web site at www.co.okaloosa.fl.us.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County's evening mosquito control begins next week