A mosquito trap in South Tampa caught 18,000 mosquitoes, a significant increase from the 142 mosquitoes caught in June. According to Gabriela Henderson, community relations coordinator for Hillsborough County Mosquito Management, the average trap size this time of year is normally four to six-thousand mosquitoes.
Mosquito Population Surge
The surge in mosquito population is attributed to the recent drought in the Bay Area, which caused mosquitoes to lay eggs in the soil. The subsequent rain has triggered a hatching surge, resulting in the large number of mosquitoes. Crews conducted aerial spraying south of Gandy to combat the insects, and more spraying is planned for Friday.
The 18,000 mosquitoes caught in the trap were sorted in the county’s lab and sent off for disease testing. Scientists are studying the insects at their various stages in the county’s lab to ensure current treatments are working and that these insects haven’t built up resistance.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
