Mosquitoes expected to grow numerous in Irma’s wake

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FORT MYERS, Fla. A large mosquito outbreak is predicted in Lee County.

The Lee County Mosquito Control District is anticipating the outbreak because of Hurricane Irma’s heavy rains and flooding.

Treatments to control adult mosquitoes began Monday and will continue nightly from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. But fully grown mosquitoes may be a continued presence for days before the effects of the treatment take hold, the district said on its website.

Areas with the highest numbers of adult mosquitoes and that are without power will be treated first, the district said. Many areas still have debris and flooding preventing ground control efforts.

The state’s Department of Health said in a recent statement there are no areas in Florida where mosquitoes are transmitting Zika, dengue or other viruses to people.

But even nuisance mosquitoes not carrying diseases can breed in small amounts of water.

Health administrators say residents should drain containers holding water, discard debris where water could collect and repair torn screens to keep insects from coming indoors.

Repellent use is also recommended, the district said.

See more tips on coping with mosquitoes.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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