Following an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) approach, our primary means of controlling mosquitoes is through breeding source reduction, larval control, and biological control (i.e., mosquitofish). Technicians conduct hundreds of larval surveys each year and work with residents to limit mosquito breeding sites around their properties.
When mosquito larvae are found but eliminating the source isn’t possible, technicians often treat the source with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, or Bti. Bti is a naturally occurring bacteria found in soils. It contains spores that specifically target and only affect the larvae of mosquitoes by keeping them from developing into adults. You can read more about Bti here: https://www.epa.gov/mosquitocontrol/bti-mosquito-control
Thank you to our technicians who work hard to address hundreds of requests for service from Jackson County residents each year and who do so with the utmost professionalism. Happy National Mosquito Control Awareness Week!