Pasco County Mosquito Control District (PCMCD) implements an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) program that is environmentally friendly and a well-balanced scientific approach to controlling mosquitoes. PCMCD reduces mosquito populations in various ways, including aquatic weed management, the use of biological controls, and insecticides. Mosquito populations can increase rapidly depending on flooding, tidal flows, and general weather conditions. Mosquito populations must be monitored consistently to determine which species are infesting a particular area and to assure that control is carried out in the most efficient manner.

There about 45 mosquito species in Pasco County and some of those species differ in habitat, behavior, and preferred bloodmeal. Organized mosquito control is necessary because mosquitoes are not only a nuisance as biting insects, but are also periodically involved in transmitting diseases to humans and animals.

Controlling mosquitoes in the larval stage (larviciding) is preferred because the larvae are often concentrated in large numbers in various aquatic habitats. If the larvae are successfully controlled in these confined areas, this prevents a major emergence of biting adult females. Larviciding is conducted by Field Technicians with the use of trucks, ATVs, lightweight equipment, and sometimes by hand unless access is limited or timing of treatment is critical. In those cases, it is often necessary to use helicopters to inspect and treat for larvae.  Larval control is one of the main aspects of our integrated approach to effectively manage mosquito populations.

If you see us out in one of our orange and charcoal helicopters during the day, we are most likely conducting inspections and/or controlling the larval stages of mosquitoes that occur in both salt and fresh water environments.  The helicopters are often seen flying low to ensure the materials are effectively reaching the targeted treatment area.  Pilots also conduct Ag turns which allow for higher efficiency in flight time and treatment areas.

A few mosquito species utilize roots of select invasive weeds to obtain oxygen and nutrients. The best way to control these mosquito species is using our airboats or Argos in your community water bodies to remove these invasive, non-native weeds.

Ultra Low Volume (ULV) trucks are generally used in areas with good road access for targeting adult mosquitoes during the evening while the mosquitoes are most active. We actively pursue pestiferous adult mosquitoes during the summer rainy season. We operate our ULV truck fleet 4-5 hours at night, beginning 15 min after sunset.  Additionally, we have added an A1 Mister to our nighttime fleet.  The A1 Mister combines high volumes of air with low volumes of liquid materials to more efficiently treat a wide variety of larval habitats.