At the request of BOCC Chairman Jim Adkins, Mosquito Control Director Sandra Fisher delivered impromptu remarks at the 09/12/16 BOCC meeting. Rainfall in early August exceeded the total rainfall for the entire month of July, she said, which provided multiple breeding areas for mosquitoes along the coast and inland as well.
Aggressive spraying reduced the number of adult mosquitoes before Hurricane Hermine’s approach. Fisher stated that pre-treatment of known breeding grounds began early, with pesticides applied to the water to prevent mosquito larvae from becoming adults.
Following the storm, Fisher said that traps were checked to determine an approximate size of the adult mosquito population. “The counts were very low,” she said, even compared to the sample from early in August. Another count will be taken this week, since any eggs laid after the storm will hatch and come to maturity within 7-10 days.
In order to qualify for reimbursement funding, the mosquito population must show a significant increase in the number of adult mosquitoes. Adkins advised Fisher to inform the BOCC in the event that the department needed additional funds.