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Hillsborough Mosquito Control advice: Drain and cover

 
Mosquitos feed off of raisins inside a box at Hillsborough's mosquito control center. [KATIE METTLER/TIMES]
Mosquitos feed off of raisins inside a box at Hillsborough's mosquito control center. [KATIE METTLER/TIMES]
Published June 26, 2015

TAMPA — It's that time of year, when a warm wet blanket descends from the atmosphere and chokes out the crisp air most preferable for breathing.

It's hot and sticky, — and unwelcome to most Floridians. Except the ones that buzz and bite.

Enter mosquitoes, those stealthy little buggers that welcome the state's damp conditions and thrive in its marshes and canopy cover.

"In the mosquito world, Florida is king of the hill," said Ron Montgomery, operations manager with Hillsborough County Mosquito and Aquatic Weed Control.

For Mosquito Awareness Week, Montgomery and health department officials opened their doors to provide information on their operation and debunk myths about mosquito control.

"We're educating the public about the significance that mosquitoes play in their every day life," he said.

Here's what we learned:

• It's not your perfume, lotion or wit and charm that draws mosquitoes in. They're actually attracted to the carbon dioxide your body gives off. By simply existing you've made yourself a target.

• Mosquitoes feed on sweet things to get energy. Only female mosquitoes need blood so they can get protein to produce eggs. If you think about, they're really just trying to be good moms. Ponder that the next time you slap and squash.

• The best way to avoid the bites is to drain and cover, said Samantha Spoto, an epidemiologist with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. Meaning, drain any standing water and cover your appendages with clothes and bug spray.

• Sometimes, the best way to combat bugs is to sick other animals on them. Homeowners can buy small fish, called mosquito fish, to inhabit ornamental ponds. The fish feed on the mosquito larvae living on the surface of the water, killing before they reach adulthood and fly away.

• Sentinel chickens are the department's greatest weapon for fighting the spread of disease through mosquito bites. They have them stationed around the county and periodically test their blood to see if any disease is present. Don't worry, it doesn't hurt them. The feathered buddies produce antibodies to fight off the disease.

For other tips on how to keep yourself safe from bugs and bites this summer, check out outdoor editor Terry Tomalin's advice here.

Contact Katie Mettler at kmettler@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3446. Follow @kemettler.