Drought may cause spike in SWFL mosquito population

FORT MYERS, Fla. Water levels in Southwest Florida have reached their lowest point in 40 years.

But despite the recent drought, the Lee County Mosquito Control District is preparing for one of the worst mosquito seasons in recent years.

The dry ground has made it easier for standing water to form, when it does rain, creating the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes to lay their eggs, the district said. The fish that normally eat mosquito eggs are unable to do so due to the low water levels.

Buddy Logue, the owner of Mosquito Joe of Cape Coral at 213 S.W. 35th St., said he’s received more calls from customers regarding mosquitoes than usual.

“People are getting torn up by them even without any rain,” he said.

Logue has traveled from house to house spraying repellent where mosquitoes may be hiding or breeding.

“We look for any places with standing water, sitting water, a lot of times gutters or downspouts hold them or bromeliads,” he said.

While the district cannot predict exactly how severe the season will be, they’re doing everything they can to be ready.