This Tuesday, the Osceola County Mosquito Control plans to do an aerial spraying of about 20,000 acres because of the heavy rainfall that Central Florida experienced last week.
The spraying will take place between 8 p.m. and midnight for the following towns:
- Kenansville
- Yeehaw Junction
- Holopaw
- Pine Grove
- Deer Park
- Hickory Tree
- Fortune Road
- Narcoossee
“These treatments are not related to Zika in any way but are in response to “flood water” mosquitoes from standing water left behind from recent rains. Osceola County is still not seeing high numbers of the mosquitoes that can carry Zika, though counts for other types of mosquitoes have increased. The aerial applications will target all mosquitos,” the county stated in a press release.
The Osceola County Health Department is asking citizens to check rain gutters and other objects around their yard that have collected rain water and to change the water in birdbaths every three days.
The department also offered the following advice:
- Don’t go outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Dress to cover bare skin, with long sleeves and pants.
- Use mosquito repellents containing DEET on skin and clothing. Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus are other repellent options. Always read the manufacturer’s directions carefully before using a repellent, and make sure the repellent is age appropriate.
- Dump any container around your home that is able to hold water
If the county cannot spray Tuesday night, it will do an aerial treatment between Sept. 14 through Sept. 17 during the same time frame.
There will be ground treatment by the use of a spray truck throughout the county as weather permits.