Mosquito population may explode, official warns

The drought plaguing Florida has had one benefit: a significant drop in the mosquito population that is usually seen this time of year. But Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson is urging residents to prepare for that to change. As soon as the normal rain patterns return, Florida is likely to see a mosquito population explosion.

The lack of water prevented eggs from hatching. But mosquito eggs from certain species can be very resilient, lying in wait for the next heavy rain for up to several years. When the wet weather arrives, all the eggs hatch at once, creating a huge increase in the number of pesky pests.

Bronson says people need to keep that in mind and be ready for a possible onslaught of mosquitoes and with them the potential for mosquito-borne illnesses.

The Commissioner is urging horse owners to make sure that their animals are vaccinated against two of the diseases - West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

In addition to WNV and EEE, mosquitoes can transmit St. Louis Encephalitis and malaria.

Details: ww.doacs.state.fl.us.