The Florida Department of Health has issued a “5 D’s” list for mosquito prevention:

May 3, 2006

OKALOOSA COUNTY

MOSQUITO CONTROL EFFORTS

            The Okaloosa County Division of Environmental Services will begin spot spraying for mosquitoes on Monday, May 9th, and will begin their seasonal weekly spraying on May 22, 2006.

            The county has been experiencing an extremely dry spring, but should heavy rains begin to develop, the weekly spraying schedule will be moved up to May 9th.

The following is the Okaloosa County spray route schedule, weather permitting:

Monday- Beaver Creek Community south to Baker, Escambia Farms, Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach (Brooks Street going west), Mary Esther, Wynnehaven Beach and Valparaiso.  

Tuesday- Baker, Holt, Escambia Farms, Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Bluewater Bay, and Cinco Bayou.

Wednesday-  Baker, Milligan, Laurel Hill to Garden City, Crestview to Hwy. 393, Shalimar, Street off of Lewis Turner Blvd., and Niceville.

Thursday-  Poquito Bayou area, Ocean City, Mooney Road areas, Niceville, Baker, Holt, Milligan, Laurel Hill to Poverty Creek Road, Hwy. 393 to Airport Road in Crestview.

            Officials do not anticipate the high mosquito populations encountered after last springs heavy rains, but point to areas of concern such as wetlands; properties bordering Eglin A.F.B., which are not treated; and property owners unaware that they are creating mosquito breeding sites.

            “Night time temperatures are beginning to level out and once they remain a consistent 65 degrees or higher, we begin to see increased mosquito activity. Eliminating standing water should be at the top of everyone’s ‘to do list’ right now,” says Okaloosa County Environmental Services Manager Cindy Halsey.

            Halsey also reminds homeowners to check children’s pools, plant pots, old tires, leaf piles, pet watering bowl and gutters daily for standing water and says even something as simple as a soda lid can literally breed hundreds of mosquitoes.

                The Florida Department of Health has issued a “5 D’s” list for mosquito prevention:

• Dusk and Dawn (avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are seeking blood, for many species this is during the dusk and dawn hours)
• Dress (wear clothing that covers skin)
• DEET (use mosquito repellents including DEET [N, N diethyl-m-toluamide] on skin when you are outside)
• Drainage (check your home to rid it of standing water in which mosquitoes can lay their eggs) 

               Okaloosa County sprays for mosquitoes county-wide, except on federal and state-owned land, on a rotating basis Monday through Thursday, weather permitting.  Mosquito spray trucks operate from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.  Spraying is discontinued during rain and during winds of 10 mph or greater. 

            Mosquito spraying and control reminders:

• Mosquito spray trucks will not spray areas if residents are outside.
• When the lights on top of the vehicle are on, spraying is taking place.
• The new sprays are odor free and equipment is very quiet.   If the light is on, the area is being sprayed even if there is no odor or noise.
• Please do not stop drivers, as they must discontinue spraying.  Questions or comments should be directed to the Mosquito Control Division at 651-7394. 

            In addition to spraying, the county has an aggressive larvaciding program in place that includes more than 1,138 sites treated and checked on a regular basis. Okaloosa County has contracted with Florida A&M University to trap and test mosquito and wild bird populations weekly to help identify species, determine potential disease threats, verify spraying needs and collect data on weather trends in order to make appropriate adjustments for affected areas.  Additionally, more than 600 ponds and areas with standing water are treated with Gambusia fish, which eat 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 Thursday from 6 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and may be reached at 651-7394.

            Mosquito spray schedules, preventative tips and other related information is available on the county’s web site at www.co.okaloosa.fl.us.