ABSTRACT
Located in South Florida, the Lee County Mosquito Control District (LCMCD) is the largest single county mosquito abatement programme in the USA based on sheer necessity to combat the extremely high populations of mosquitoes found naturally in the area. South Florida is one of the largest, flattest, wettest, subtropical areas on the planet, making it prime habitat to produce enormous numbers of mosquitoes. LCMCD operates independently an integrated mosquito management (IMM) programme, funded by local taxation, which effectively and responsibly controls mosquitoes minimizing risk to human health, while reducing the environmental footprint. LCMCD incorporates a broad-based approach of control measures ranging from physical or mechanical control, to biological control, larviciding, and adulticiding, as well as mosquito and arbovirus surveillance, public education, and comprehensive evaluation of products and techniques. LCMCD also strives to be at the forefront of advancing technologies, such as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and unmanned aerial systems to assist with the implementation of ongoing suppression efforts. LCMCD continues to be a leader state- and nation-wide with a focus on sound and effective mosquito control for the citizens of Lee County, Florida since 1958.
