Recent rains have resulted in a hatch off of flood water mosquitoes not only in Orange County, but also in neighboring counties and parishes according to Mosquito Control Director Patrick Beebe. He said the biggest problem is with the very aggressive salt marsh mosquitoes. Beebe stated the salt marsh mosquito does not bite just in the normal early morning and evening periods, but all day long.
Beebe and the Orange County Mosquito Control Department have brought out the big gun doing aerial spraying to knock down the swarms of mosquitoes especially in the south end of Orange County. Beebe commented weather problems have inhibited some aerial spraying with airplane because of fog, rain, and strong winds. He added his department will be doing the aerial spraying to hit the mosquitoes, but do follow up with ground spraying as soon as possible since the chemicals allowed for the aerial spraying does not have a residual effect. Beebe concluded because of the extent of the infestation his department needs to move around to prevent the mosquitoes moving into other areas of the county.
Beebe is hopeful that a change in weather will also help with north winds moving in that will push the mosquitoes back into the marshes and colder temperatures with those winds will also help. Beebe reminds that citizens can help themselves to ward off mosquitoes by using repellent, wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants, and when outside turn off lights that attract the mosquitoes.
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