PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Sunday marked the start of National Mosquito Control Awareness Week. It's a week dedicated to educating communities about the insect and helping prevent the diseases they spread.  

What You Need To Know

  • June to October is when mosquitoes typically become most prominent

  • Of the 40 mosquito species in Pinellas County, 17 are considered problematic

  • A new helicopter is set to be unveiled this week that will the capacity to carry larvicide in the fight to control the mosquito population

Living in Tampa for around two years, Mildred Haubenstricker and her husband Todd visited Weeden Island Reserve for a day of fun. 

Exploring the trails and checking out the wildlife, Mildred said mosquitoes get on her last nerve. 

"I've never really had a problem with mosquitos until I moved here," she said. "I can be outside my house for a few minutes and I'll get 15, 20 bites." 

Alissa Berrow with Mosquito Control in Pinellas County said it's from June through October that mosquitoes can become a problem. 

"Right now, especially when we're 95 degrees and seeing 80 at night, this is great for mosquitos because now they can go from egg to adult in just seven days," she said. 

Berrow said of the 40 mosquito species in Pinellas County, 17 are considered problematic, of those, only the females bite.

She said wearing loose-fitting light-colored clothes that are long-sleeved and wearing bug repellent can make a difference as well as dumping or covering any standing water you can. 

As Mosquito Awareness Week continues, in Pinellas County, a new helicopter is set to be unveiled that will quadruple the capacity to carry larvicide in the fight to control the mosquito population.