Rainy Season is Here and So are Mosquitos

Rainy season is here and with it so are the mosquitos. Mosquitoes are not only a pest, but are also a potential disease vector. It's important that homeowners ensure that there are no areas around their home with any standing water. We ask that members and residents inspect their homes for any areas which may have standing water on a regular basis. Drain water from your units rain gutters if you have them, kiddie pools, coolers, toys, flower pots, jugs or any other containers where water has collected. It is especially important to make sure to discard any bottles, cans, pots or any other items that aren't being used that could potentially collect water. If you have a bird bath or fountain, flush out the water every couple of days. If you have bromeliads or other plants that can collect enough water in which mosquitoes can lay eggs, you should also flush them once a week with a stream of water or sprinkle commercially available Bti "bits" in your plants. You can also place 1 drop of cooking oil every 20 days in a bromeliad's cup which will smother mosquito larvae. Homeowners should perform these checks of their homes at least once a week. Homeowners renting out their units need to ensure that their tenants are performing those checks for them.

To ensure that our community remains as mosquito free as possible, we have already begun dropping mosquito dunks in all 52 catch basins found throughout our community. This is a larvicide which is not harmful to fish, humans or other animals and are dropped in catch basins every 30 days until December. This will prevent any larval mosquitoes from becoming adults thus reducing their numbers.

Mosquitos in Florida are known for transmitting several diseases such as West Nile, Zika encephalitis, Dengue and Chikungunya as well as heartworm in dogs and cats. Miami-Dade County ordinances gives the county the authority to cite property owners for any standing water violations two days after they receive a warning. If the county is forced to enter upon your property to take care of the issue for you, the homeowner would be liable for the costs of removing any mosquito breeding grounds found on your property and Miami-Dade County can also place a lien on your property to recover those costs as allowed under the ordinance.

If you feel that you are experiencing a mosquito nuisance, you are encouraged to report the problem by calling 311 or online by Clicking Here, then select Property and choose Mosquitoes from the menu.