Beach Mosquito Control District Keeping Pesky Biters at Bay - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

Mosquitos breed in standing water. After heavy rainfall like Tropical Storm Debby this is especially important. Mosquito busters are trying to stay ahead of a problem as they take to the streets and the sky.

By land and air Beach Mosquito Control District helps Panama City Beach residents protect against that bite that everybody loves to hate.

"We are out everyday during the day if we find adult mosquitoes flying at night we are out in the evening," said Director of Beach Mosquito Control District James Clauson. 

Clauson says their job is imperative after last weeks storm.

"It dropped three to four inches of rain of standing water," said Clauson. "Right now we are trying to treat and identify the mosquito larvae."

Before an adult mosquito becomes a pest, mosquito larvae need water to breed in. Beach Mosquito treats for both.

"It's important that we gather the mosquitoes because bay county has 40 different kinds of mosquitoes," said Dale Martin, an employee at the organization.

After mosquitos are trapped and larvae are located, they are taken back to the lab to be counted and identified. Culex mosquitoes can be found in grassy pools ditches and even containers with sitting water which are common in Florida.

"Our concern only lies in about 12 to 14 different species," said Martin. "They are several species that can possibly carry viruses or are a real serious pests that people have reactions to their bites."

Mosquitoes carry all kinds of diseases such as Triple E and West Nile Esephalitous and they can even give your dog heart worms. After surveyors identify numbers and species they send out the cavalry to treat areas accordingly.

"We are out either with our helicopter or with our trucks trying to control the mosquitoes," said Clauson.

An effort that keeps pesky biters at bay. You can help prevent certain types of mosquitos by emptying containers with standing water in your yard.