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Are the mosquitoes winning? [1]
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Date: 2025-06-28
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —
A grassroots group is calling on the Collier Mosquito Control District to cut its $60 million annual budget in half and prioritize non-chemical mosquito control, including handing out bat houses and bacteria-based larvicides to residents.
The group, self-identified as "The Mosquito Brigade," has become a regular presence at CMCD board meetings. Several members believe current mosquito spraying methods are harming people, pollinators, and the environment.
There's been a huge decrease in the wildlife on my property — butterflies, bees, everything. We need to look at innovative ways to handle the mosquito issue," said Terese Melone of Collier County.
The group’s proposal calls for each household in Collier County to receive a BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) bucket — naturally occurring bacteria that kill mosquito larvae — along with a zapper, a Thermacell unit, a trap for adult mosquitoes and a bat house to encourage natural mosquito predators.
"Collier County can set the bar high for Florida. We are entitled to informed consent," said Anne Psomas.
CMCD leadership says the criticism comes during one of their busiest mosquito seasons in years.
"We’re in one of our busiest saltmarsh mosquito seasons that we’ve had in close to a decade. Since June 1, we’ve had close to 3,000 service requests, mostly from coastal areas. That’s 80% of all requests we’ve received this year," said Dr. Keira Lucas, deputy director of CMCD.
Lucas said most of the current activity targets saltmarsh mosquitoes, which breed in mangroves and are known to bite and transmit disease. She said the district uses a mix of aerial spraying, surveillance, larval treatments, sterile insect techniques and natural predators like mosquito fish. They insist all treatments do not harm the environment and are backed by decades of science and research.
"It’s not a one-size-fits-all method. We use an integrated approach," said Lucas.
At issue is not just strategy but spending. The Brigade wants the district’s budget slashed from $60 million to $28 million, redirecting funds toward what they describe as "nature-based, ecosystem-restoring solutions."
"For 60 years, they’ve been spraying us with this toxic spray, and nothing’s changed. Mosquitoes are still here. "I think the mosquitoes are winning."" said Jay Kohlhagen of Naples.
CMCD leaders say they are open to dialogue and invite residents to take tours of the facility to better understand their mosquito control methods. You can also find detailed information on treatments via the district's website.
Ryan Arbogast, Gulf Coast News (NBC)
People spoke at the June 24th CMCD Board meeting.
https://youtu.be/n-i-8WJ7fUw
https://youtu.be/bILaafMRa0w
https://youtu.be/hAUWctBvk9Q
https://youtu.be/FuoEZpbmhmU
Please contact the following to try get Florida to take a new and innovative approach to controlling mosquitoes.
Governor Ron DeSantis:
https://www.flgov.com/eog/leadership/people/ron-desantis/contact
State Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo, MD, PhD
https://www.floridahealth.gov/about/ssg/index.html
Attorney General: James Uthmeier
https://legacy.myfloridalegal.com/contact
Thank you for reading and viewing.
Please visit the Mosquito Brigade Website.
mosquitobrigade.org
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