Google wants to release millions of mosquitoes in Florida to fight mosquitoes

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK)—Google wants to release millions of mosquitoes in Florida.

The tech giant is seeking permission to release the insects in Florida and California as part of an unusual approach that could actually help shrink mosquito populations. 

Dennis Dowling visits Sugden Park in Naples for lunch every day, unless it's raining. He follows the wind and sits on whichever side of the pond offers the best breeze.

"It does keep the bugs away," Dowling said. "I have my bug spray here, because last week the mosquitoes were very, very bad."

Dowling described the recent mosquito problem as brutal. The insects swarmed his socks, legs, and arms during his park visits.

"Why are they? We've got enough," Dowling said. "We don't need a million more. There must be a reason."

There is a reason, according to Collier Mosquito Control District. These aren't just any mosquitoes.

"They have been using Wolbachia-treated mosquitoes for several years now, typically focusing on invasive species," said Keira Lucas, deputy executive director of Collier Mosquito Control District.

The treatment makes the male mosquitoes sterile. When they mate with females in the wild, they cannot produce viable offspring, Lucas said.

"When those females can no longer lay viable offspring, that reduces the mosquito populations," Lucas said.

The male mosquitoes don't bite people. The goal is to release more mosquitoes now to create fewer mosquitoes later.

The targeted mosquitoes can transmit dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses. The approach could mean less itching and potentially less disease.

Dowling remains skeptical about the plan. "I'm not warm and fuzzy about mosquitoes," Dowling said. "The fewer the better."

That sentiment is one most of Southwest Florida can probably get behind.