Mosquito eggs laid in recent rains expected to hatch soon

An early end to the dry season in Florida means an early hatching season for bugs, especially mosquitos.

Mosquito control workers in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties are in the air, on the road, and on foot – spraying larvicide into stagnant pools where the potentially virus-spreading bugs breed.

“With the rains we are looking in different areas that are holding water. We are out flying our helicopter,” explained Brian Lawton with Pinellas County Mosquito Control. “We try to get them before they are up and flying.”

Officials are asking residents to help the cause by removing or treating standing water. All it takes is a bottle capful for mosquitos to lay eggs.  

In Pinellas County, they let mosquitoes bite chickens and then do blood tests for diseases. They also test different larva pools.

Experts say eggs laid in standing water from the most recent round of rain will hatch in the next few weeks.