Mosquito season returns to Collier County as crews begin treatments

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

Mosquito season is making a comeback in Collier County as recent rain and warmer temperatures create ideal breeding conditions.

The Collier Mosquito Control District said it has already started treatments to get ahead of increasing mosquito activity.

Planes sprayed overnight in areas including Golden Gate Estates, Ave Maria, and Immokalee, targeting adult mosquitoes.

Ave Maria residents Karen and Bill Woy expressed their frustration with the mosquitoes. "Well, they are quite annoying, and they can create a lot of havoc as far as enjoying the outdoors," they said.

The district is also using helicopters and drones to target mosquito larvae in standing water, aiming to stop them before they hatch.

Dr. Keira Lucas, deputy executive director of Collier Mosquito Control District, explained the situation. "Areas like Ave Maria, Immokalee, just because of their location, are surrounded by mosquito habitat. And they probably have some of the worst mosquito populations in Florida. And if not, you know, the country. And so that's why you see all this standing water is the perfect habitat for mosquitoes," she said.

The majority of mosquitoes are currently freshwater mosquitoes, which can carry West Nile virus. The district's two-step approach aims to cut down the mosquito population now and prevent more from developing.

Sue Van Rooyen, originally from South Africa, shared her experience. "Well, they're probably even worse than they were in Africa. They're really, they're very insidious in the summer. They're just awful. And, so any activity that will reduce the mosquito population," she said.

Collier Mosquito Control District will continue spraying and is urging residents to do their part by dumping any standing water around their homes.

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