Gainesville Mosquito Control works to reduce mosquito populations and protect public health within the city limits of Gainesville. Staff investigate reports of unusually high mosquito activity, standing water, and areas where mosquitoes may be developing. Service requests are generally addressed within one to two business days during normal operations.
Gainesville Mosquito Control uses an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) approach. IMM combines surveillance, source reduction, biological control, larval control, adult mosquito control, and public education. Staff monitor mosquito populations and identify the species present to determine the most appropriate response for each situation.
Mosquito Control Activities:
- Monitoring mosquito populations with traps and field inspections
- Identifying mosquito species and tracking population trends
- Inspecting and reducing standing water and other mosquito-producing habitats
- Using mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) and biological larvicides when appropriate
- Applying larvicides to water where immature mosquitoes are developing
- Conducting adult mosquito treatments when surveillance indicates a need
- Monitoring mosquito-borne disease activity
- Providing mosquito-prevention information to residents
Why Mosquito Control Is Important
Mosquitoes can affect quality of life, and some species may transmit diseases to people, pets, and wildlife. Mosquito surveillance and control help reduce biting mosquito populations, identify mosquito-producing habitats, and support a timely response when mosquito-borne disease activity is detected.
Different mosquito species develop in different habitats and vary in their public health importance. Identifying the species present helps Mosquito Control determine where mosquitoes may be coming from and which control methods are most likely to be effective.
Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Use the links below to learn more about the illnesses that mosquitos can carry and to stay updated with arbovirus activity across Florida.
Removing standing water is one of the most effective ways to reduce mosquitoes around your home. Gainesville is home to certain mosquito species that develop in artificial containers such as buckets, flowerpot saucers, birdbaths, tires, clogged gutters, and other items that hold water. The two primary container developing species of concern are Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti.
At least once a week:
- Empty and scrub containers that collect water
- Turnover, cover, or remove unused containers
- Change the water in birdbaths and outdoor pet containers
- Keep gutters and drainage areas clear
- Cover rain barrels and other water-storage containers
- Report persistent standing water or unusually high mosquito activity to Mosquito Control
How Mosquito Control Responds
Mosquito Control evaluates each situation to determine where mosquitoes may be developing, and which control method is most appropriate. Staff consider mosquito trap results, species composition, resident service requests, field observations, mosquito-borne disease activity, and environmental conditions.
When appropriate technicians may:
- Inspect the property or surrounding area for standing water and mosquito-producing habitats
- Collect mosquito larvae or adult mosquitoes to help identify the species present
- Eliminate or reduce standing water when practical
- Apply biological or conventional larvicides to water where immature mosquitoes are developing
- Use mosquito fish in suitable permanent or semi-permanent water sources
- Provide residents with recommendations for reducing mosquito development around their property
- Conduct follow-up surveillance to evaluate mosquito activity and treatment effectiveness
Controlling mosquitoes during the larval stage is often more targeted and effective because larvae are concentrated in water and have not yet emerged as flying adults. When source reduction and larval control are not sufficient, or when surveillance or disease activity indicates a need, adult mosquito treatment may also be considered.
How Truck ULV Treatment Decisions Are Made
ULV truck-applied treatments are not conducted on a fixed schedule or neighborhood rotation. Mosquito Control evaluates several indicators before scheduling treatment, including:
- Mosquito trap counts and population trends
- Mosquito trap sample species composition
- Confirmed resident service requests
- Field inspections and landing-rate observations
- Mosquito-borne disease activity
- Weather and environmental conditions
Florida regulations require adulticide applications to be supported by documented indicators of need. Applicable indicators include elevated trap or landing-rate counts, locally established surveillance thresholds, service requests confirmed through surveillance, and notification of suspected human or animal arbovirus infections.
About Truck-Applied Treatments
When adult mosquito treatment is needed on a broader scale, certified applicators may use truck-mounted ultra-low-volume, or ULV, equipment.
The truck-mounted ULV equipment releases a small amount of mosquito-control product in very fine water droplets. These droplets are intended to contact adult mosquitoes when they are flying. Droplets are suspended in the air for approximately ten minutes and degrade rapidly. Truck treatments temporarily reduce adult mosquito populations, but do not control mosquito larvae or prevent additional mosquitoes from emerging.
All mosquito-control products used by Gainesville Mosquito Control are EPA registered and are applied according to label directions and applicable state and federal requirements.
Treatment Times and Schedule
Truck-applied treatments generally begin approximately one to three hours after sunset, when many target mosquitoes are active and non-target insect species are not.
Schedule routed may be modified, postponed, or canceled because of rain, wind, equipment conditions, or changing surveillance information.
Check the ULV Spray Map and Schedule or call Mosquito Control at 352-373-8110 for current treatment information.
Stormwater Vegetation Herbicide Program
Dense vegetation can obstruct drainage and contribute to standing water where mosquitoes may develop. Mosquito Control technicians use primarily mechanical maintenance and, when appropriate, targeted herbicide applications to improve drainage and reduce mosquito-producing habitat.
To report vegetation that is obstructing drainage or contributing to standing water in a city drainage ditch, stormwater pond, or similar facility, contact Mosquito Control at 352-393-8287 to request an inspection.
Check the schedule with the interactive map below to see the different treatment zones in Gainesville. Gainesville city limits are divided into 16 mosquito treatment sectors.
Seasonal ULV Treatment Schedule
Mosquito Control conducts truck-mounted ultra-low-volume (ULV) spray treatments based on weekly mosquito surveillance data, including trap counts and species composition. If there is no current schedule below, please check back again for updates. You can also call 352-393-8110 for treatment schedule information and service inquiries.
ULV treatments will be conducted this week as follows:
Thursday, September 3rd - Zone 11, and targeted areas of zone 8.
Note: You may need to zoom in for the zones to populate. Full Site
Courtesy List
If, for any reason, a resident does not want their domicile to be treated by truck-mounted ULV, they may request to be added to the Mosquito Spray Courtesy List. Those added to the list will have a buffer radius of 300 feet around their address where the technicians will not treat.
Please submit the request through our contact form and indicate that you would like to be added to the courtesy list under Mosquito Services.
Gainesville neighbors play an important role in reducing mosquitoes around their homes and neighborhoods. Mosquitoes require water to complete their development, and a few common species use containers and other water-holding items found around homes.
Inspect your property at least once each week. Emptying and scrubbing water-holding containers help remove both mosquito larvae and eggs that may remain attached to the inside surfaces.
Empty, Scrub, Cover, or Remove
Once a week:
- Empty and scrub birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, pet water dishes and other containers that hold water
- Turn over wheelbarrows, buckets, toys, small boats and other unused items
- Remove discarded tires, containers and yard debris that can collect rainwater
- Clear leaves and debris from roof gutters and outdoor drains
- Remove water that collects on tarps, furniture covers and pool covers
- Repair leaking outdoors faucets, pipes, and irrigation equipment
- Keep swimming pools and spas properly maintained and circulating
- Cover rain barrels, cisterns and other water-storage containers with tightly fitted lids or fine mesh
- Keep trash and recycling containers covered when possible
Even small containers can produce mosquitoes, so regularly checking the entire property is important.
Water That Cannot Be Emptied
Some water sources, such as ornamental ponds, rain barrel or drainage features, cannot be emptied every week. When appropriate, an EPA-registered mosquito larvicide may be used according to its label directions.
Do not place pesticides or mosquitofish into ponds, wetlands, storm drains or other water bodies without first confirming that the method is appropriate for that location. Gainesville Mosquito Control can provide guidance on larval control and the appropriate use of mosquitofish.
Contact Mosquito Control for assistance with a permanent water source where mosquitoes may be developing. Larvicides such as Bti are intended for water where mosquito larvae are present and must be used according to the product label.
Keep Mosquitoes Outside
Prevent mosquitoes from entering your home by:
- Repairing holes in windows and door screens
- Keeping doors and windows closed when screens are not present
- Using air conditioning when available
- Checking screen doors to ensure they close completely
Window and door screens are an effective physical barrier against mosquitoes entering buildings.
Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites
When mosquitoes are active:
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent and follow the label directions
- Wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when practical
- Cover strollers and infant carriers with mosquito netting
- Take additional precautions when spending time near areas with high mosquito activity
Removing standing water reduces mosquito development, but personal protection remains important because mosquitoes may travel from surrounding properties and natural habitats.
When to Contact Mosquito Control
Residents within Gainesville city limits should contact Mosquito Control to report:
- Unusually high mosquito activity
- Persistent standing water that cannot be eliminated
- Neglected swimming pools or other suspected mosquito-producing sites
- Drainage problems or vegetation contributing to standing water
- Questions about larvicides, mosquitofish or mosquito prevention
Call Gainesville Mosquito Control at 352-393-8287 or submit an online service request.