HOLT, Fla., April 11, 2024—The 2024 Okaloosa County Mosquito Control Program is scheduled to begin later this month.

The countywide program, excluding federal and state-owned land, provides surveillance and spraying service to control mosquitos in both larval and adult states.

Broadcast treatment is conducted in the evening and is required by state law, based on mosquito surveillance data and other methods.

Mosquito control technicians will begin night spraying operations countywide beginning in mid-to-late April and early May. Some areas of north Okaloosa County already require treatment and technicians will be responding during early morning hours in the coming days and weeks for those areas that have been identified with higher mosquito counts.

Regularly scheduled treatments will begin an hour before sunset or in the first hour of sunrise.

Holt schedule

• Tuesdays: Areas south of U.S. Highway 90 to Milligan
• Wednesdays: Areas north of Hwy 90 east to Galliver Cut Off and south of State Road 4
• Thursdays: Areas north of Hwy 90, east of Galliver Cut Off and south of SR 4

In addition to spraying, the county has an aggressive larvicide program that includes treating more than 1,500 sites. These are checked on a regular basis.

Additionally, more than 750 ponds and areas with standing water are treated with gambusia fish that eat mosquito larva and are able to reproduce at a high rate.

Pets and livestock

Residents are also reminded to have outdoor animals vaccinated against mosquito-borne disease. Horses should be vaccinated against Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Although West Nile and EEE viruses can occur throughout the year, peak season is August, September and October.

Dog owners are also reminded to have pets treated for heartworms since certain mosquitoes present in Okaloosa County can carry the disease.

Bees

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services maintains a registry of beekeepers in the state. Florida law requires all keepers—agricultural or residential—to register their apiaries with the state.

Registered beekeepers should contact the county at 850-689-5774 to discuss mosquito control operations that may affect their hives.

SWAT

• Stay inside with screen doors and windows when mosquitoes are biting (dusk and dawn)
• When outside, wear clothing that covers the skin
• Apply mosquito repellant that contains DEET when outside
• Turn over standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs

For more information about the county’s mosquito control program, visit the website.