Collier County launches pilot program to fend off mosquitoes, diseases

Reporter: Camila Pereira Writer: Nicholas Karsen
Published: Updated:

The Collier Mosquito Control District is launching a pilot program to use sterilization to target invasive insects in Golden Gate City.

This invasive species can spread diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya and is resistant to some traditional mosquito control methods.

The treatment will release lab-bred sterilized male mosquitos to mate with female insects, which will result in non-viable eggs.

By doing this, the mosquito population will begin to diminish.

Golden Gate City was selected because several standing areas of water near neighborhoods and businesses are ideal breeding locations for mosquitoes.

The control district began its operation in early January, trapping mosquitoes in the surrounding area while collecting data and calculating the population.

If their testing proves fruitful, the control district will begin operating in the spring and continue until the end of peak mosquito season, in the fall.

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