Dry weather, rising rain create perfect storm for mosquitoes in Southwest Florida

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

The rainy season is back, bringing much-needed relief! However, the long stretch of dry weather may have set the stage for a brutal mosquito season.

Many people assume the drought keeps mosquitoes away, but the Lee County Mosquito Control District says the aggressive salt marsh mosquitoes play by their own rules.

"Those mosquitoes actually lay their eggs in moist soil. They don't lay them in water. Because all winter, those mosquitoes have been saving up the egg bank. It's been building because the water has been evaporating away, creating more habitat area for them," said Jenifer McBride with Lee County Mosquito Control District.

Now those stored eggs could emerge on a massive scale.

"We actually had an unprecedented summer last summer, and that was because we were in a drought also. In the month of July, we had 3,100 service calls. We had 3,100 people calling in to report mosquitoes. Typically in a year, we see about 4,400. So that gives you an idea of just the sheer number that we were seeing," said McBride.

Don't worry, the Lee County Mosquito Control District is prepared. To get ahead, mosquito control is increasing aerial pre-treatment along the coast and throughout marsh habitats. McBride says pilots need to fly low in order for treatment to work.

"We have special permission from the FAA, and that's so that we can hit our target," said McBride.

To keep mosquitoes from crashing the party, dump out any standing water around your home. Even a tiny cup of water can become a breeding ground for hundreds of mosquitoes.

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