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Mosquito Tips and Resources

Miami-Dade County has a sub-tropical environment and is home to 48 species of mosquitoes. However, a few create sufficient annoyance and some can also transmit diseases such as West Nile Virus, dengue fever, encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya, Zika and dog heartworm.

Since its creation in 1935, the goal of Miami-Dade County's Mosquito Control Division is to control the mosquito population using the most effective methods, techniques, equipment and insecticides, thus enhancing the quality of life for all residents and reducing the possibility of mosquito-transmitted disease.

Mosquito control tips

Here are some tips to help keep mosquitos at bay:
  • Clean out rain gutters and ensure they aren't blocked. Excess leaves, branches, and other debris can cause rainwater to pool and eventually attract egg-bearing female mosquitoes.
  • Apply a repellent with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR-3535. This is the time of year when people spend extended periods outdoors, making them even more susceptible to bites and diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Malaria was felt last year in nearby Sarasota, and dengue continues to circulate in the area.
  • Clear out your yard of discarded items that may accumulate rain or irrigation water. You can drop off appliances and other bulky  solid waste Trash and Recycling Centers. You can also schedule up to two bulky waste pickups per household per year, not to exceed 25 cubic yards. 
  • Use a larvicide containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) in bromeliads, birdbaths, rain barrels, decorative fountains, and ponds: Bti is a naturally occurring bacterium that only kills mosquito and black fly larvae. Using an organic larvicide is one of the best ways to limit mosquito breeding in these areas. It is commercially available, inexpensive, and non-toxic to humans, pets, wild animals, birds, and pollinators.
  •  If your home or business is being swarmed by mosquitoes, request a mosquito inspection from Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control or call 311. Be prepared to provide Provide some simple details about your location and the issue, and an inspector will come out within one to two business days.