Annual Mosquito Control ‘SWEEP’ of Key Largo Begins Tuesday, April 16 as Part of Mosquito Control Awareness Week in Florida

A focused, door-to-door effort to eliminate and treat habitats for potentially disease-spreading mosquitoes kicks off Tuesday morning, April 16 in Key Largo.

This ‘Sweep’ features trained FKMCD inspectors from across the Florida Keys converging throughout various areas of Key Largo in an organized effort to visit residential and commercial properties in search of current and potential mosquito habitats.

This Year’s ‘Sweep’ coincides with Florida Mosquito Control Awareness Week which runs through Saturday, April 20.

Officials with the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District are encouraging residents and property owners to consent to the brief inspection that identifies and eliminates potential habitats that can remain hidden and unknowingly produce Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that can spread serious illnesses such as Dengue Fever and Zika.

Potential habitats include discarded tires, water features, buckets, bromeliads, tarps, lawn debris and any other items that can accumulate water.

FKMCD Executive Director Andrea Leal said:

“Protecting public health is always the District’s number one priority. In 2023, there were a record number of locally-acquired dengue cases reported in neighboring Miami-Dade County so this Sweep of Key Largo has never been more vital.”

The Key Largo ‘Sweep’ traditionally lasts several days.

If an FKMCD inspector visits a property while no one is home, a door hanger will be left containing simple instructions for scheduling a more convenient time for the on-site visit.

FKMCD currently employees 36 trained inspectors across Monroe County. As part of the sweep many of them will be temporarily re-deployed in Key Largo at various times.

All of the inspectors will travel in marked vehicles and wear appropriate FKMCD clothing.

About the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District

The mission of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District is to control the mosquito population using the most effective methods, techniques, equipment and insecticides; thus enhancing the quality of life for all residents and reducing the possibility of mosquito transmitted diseases.

Follow FKMCD on Twitter at @FlKeysMosquito and on Facebook.  For more information about the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, please visit www.keysmosquito.org.

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