Orange County Mosquito Control has increased surveillance and is conducting targeted treatments in areas affected by recent mosquito-borne illness activity. The stepped-up effort follows two health advisories from the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, one on increased West Nile virus activity and another confirming a locally acquired case of dengue. The work is to continue until surveillance data show the elevated risk has passed.
Steve Harrison, manager of Orange County Mosquito Control, said the team is monitoring activity countywide and responding where increased populations or illnesses are identified. He said targeted treatments matter, but that residents are valuable partners and that simple steps taken around the home can make a large difference.
Officials point out that mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water and need very little of it to multiply, with as little as a teaspoon left standing for more than a week able to become a breeding site. Residents are urged to inspect their property at least once a week and empty or cover anything that holds water, including birdbaths, buckets, pet dishes, children's pools, coolers, tarps, gutters, tires, recycling bins and outdoor toys. Other advice includes using an EPA-approved insect repellent according to label directions, wearing protective clothing when possible, treating clothing and outdoor gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin while never applying permethrin directly to the skin, keeping windows and doors closed when possible, and ensuring window screens fit properly and repair of holes.
Harrison described mosquito control as a shared responsibility, saying that eliminating standing water, using repellent and reporting concerns protects families and neighborhoods alike. Residents with mosquito problems at home or in their neighborhoods can report them by calling 407-836-3111 or 3-1-1.
Press release issued by Orange County Government Newsroom:
https://newsroom.ocfl.net/2026/09/orange-county-increases-mosquito-surveillance-encourages-residents-to-take-preventive-action/
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