Mosquito Control in Parkland, Florida

South Florida's rainy season runs from about May 15 to October 15, according to the National Weather Service office in Miami, and 60 to 70 percent of the year's rain falls in that stretch. Once the afternoon storms start, mosquito numbers in Parkland go up fast.

The one that bites during the day around the house is often a container breeder. Broward County's 311 guidance says the Aedes aegypti mosquito can breed in water as small as a bottle cap. That's why the mosquitoes on your lanai may be coming from your own yard, not the lake.

Signs to look for

Bites at dawn, dusk and in shady spots during the day
Mosquitoes resting under the eaves, in hedges or in the pool cage
Water standing in bromeliads, saucers, gutters or tarps
Larvae (wigglers) in a bucket or birdbath

What a yard visit looks like

A tech walks the property looking for water: bromeliad cups, plant saucers, clogged gutters and downspouts, kids' toys, boat covers, a pool cover holding rain, low spots in the yard. They'll dump or treat what they find. Many companies use a larvicide in water that can't be dumped.

Adult mosquitoes rest in shady, humid spots during the day. A barrier treatment targets the undersides of leaves in hedges and shrubs, under decks and along fence lines. Ask the provider how often they recommend coming back during the rainy season and what they use.

Seeing this at your place? Call (954) 555-0108

What Broward County does

Broward County runs its own mosquito control program. It sets surveillance traps around the county and treats areas where disease-carrying mosquitoes turn up. Residents can call 311 and ask for an inspection of their property. That's worth doing if you think the problem is coming from a ditch or public land.

County spraying doesn't reach your backyard bromeliads, though. Most yard problems come down to water on the lot. Our rainy season guide has a walk-around checklist.

Flush bromeliads with a hose once or twice a week
Empty plant saucers, buckets and toys after every rain
Clean gutters and check that downspouts drain
Keep the pool circulating and covers tight

Planning around a party

Having people over in the backyard? Call a few days ahead. A provider can usually schedule a visit before an event. They'll tell you how long to keep people and pets off treated areas.

Questions people ask

Will a treatment last through a storm?

Heavy rain can shorten how long it works. Ask the provider what their schedule is during the wet months.

Is the lake behind my house the problem?

It can add to it, but container breeders around the house are often the bigger issue. Start with the yard.