The pesky buzzing mosquito sound can send some into swiping fits during the summer months in Santa Rosa County. As irritating as the insects can be, they can cause more than annoying bites. With recent flooding and large amounts of rainfall throughout the spring, mosquito control is vitally important, said Florida Department of Health Santa Rosa County (FDHSRC). FDHSRC reports said mosquitoes carry illnesses like West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Saint Louis Encephalitis, and Dengue Fever. FDHSRC Public Information Officer Susan Howell said the public should remain diligent in taking precautions to eliminate areas where the insects breed to reduce being bitten.
Santa Rosa County Mosquito Control is an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) Program utilizing the balance of cultural, biological and chemical procedures environmentally compatible and economically feasible to reduce mosquito populations to a tolerable level said county officials. The IMM has 28 spray routes covering the entire county and the routes can be found on the county website. Each week approximately 10 to 12 routes are sprayed between the hours from sundown until 1 a.m. If a resident elects to not have their property sprayed, contact the department at 981-7135.
Howell said the following steps should be taken to protect ones self from mosquitoes:
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Take precautions for mosquito control after flooding