Fort Lauderdale, Florida – As part of its ongoing efforts to curb the population of disease-carrying mosquitoes, the Broward County Mosquito Control Section is concluding its latest larvicide treatment on May 24. This operation began on May 22, targeting areas around Fort Lauderdale with truck-mounted sprayers to combat the larvae of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, known carriers of dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya.
The focus of these efforts is to address water-holding containers and specific types of plants such as bromeliads and traveler’s palms, which are prevalent in local landscaping and can harbor mosquito larvae.
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The chosen larvicide, VectoBac WDG, utilizes Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti, strain AM6552) as its active ingredient. Bti is a naturally occurring bacterial larvicide that degrades biologically, posing no threat to humans, pets, bees, or aquatic habitats. Its safety and efficacy have been validated by the Organic Materials Review Institute and it is registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency for mosquito control use. Additionally, the World Health Organization has listed VectoBac WDG as a recommended mosquito larvicide.
Community Involvement and Ongoing Efforts
The Broward County Mosquito Control Section continues its collaboration with the Florida Department of Health and local Code Enforcement agencies across Broward’s 31 municipalities. This partnership aims to diminish mosquito populations and mitigate the spread of mosquito-borne diseases effectively.
Community members play a crucial role in these prevention efforts, and they are urged to inspect their properties regularly. By eliminating standing water in items such as buckets, tires, planters, and birdbaths, residents can significantly reduce mosquito breeding sites.
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Residents experiencing mosquito problems can request service by calling 311 or by completing the online Mosquito Service Request Form. Through these combined measures, the Broward County Mosquito Control Section is committed to protecting its community from the risks associated with mosquitoes.
