MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- It is officially mosquito season, which here at MacDill AFB runs from June through October.
It’s that time of the year again when you will be walking around slapping your legs, arms, and neck as if you were doing a new viral dance.
You may be thinking “I get bit all year” which could be true; however, during the peak season from late spring to fall, Hillsborough County has a higher disease transmission rate due to mosquito bites than any other time of the year.
West Nile Virus and other mosquito borne diseases that can lead to serious illness or death can be a concern this time of year. However, positive steps are taken each year at MacDill to prevent mosquito infestations that could lead to infections.
During mosquito season, public health will be collecting mosquitoes to test for diseases. We do this by setting traps, or by taking samples of standing water to look for mosquito larva.
We ask that you please leave the traps alone as they will not cause harm to you or your children. The data we collect will be used to make recommendations to treat areas where humans and mosquitoes are more likely to come into contact with each another.
One way you can help reduce the mosquito population is by emptying standing water. We ask that as you walk around your house or neighborhood that you look for outside toys, flowerpots, or other items that can collect water and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitos.
By removing standing water, mosquito larvae will have fewer places to develop and will lead to fewer numbers of mosquitos.
Additionally, using an EPA-registered insect repellent will prevent mosquitos from biting and is highly recommended during peak season when spending time outdoors.
Please see the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website below for more information regarding mosquito control.
https://www.cdc.gov/zika/vector/index.html
To report mosquito infestations at MacDill, or for more information, contact public health at (813) 827-9601.