Lake County installs new sprayers to combat mosquitoes

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Lake County Mosquito and Aquatic Plant Management has installed four new, more efficient low-pressure spray systems in its trucks.
 
The Guardian 95 ES is a low-volume sprayer with fewer moving parts than the previous system, which required more maintenance and had a shorter life span, officials said.
 
"The sprayers each have a two-piece machined nozzle that's resistant to breakage and wear, offering the county years of maintenance-free use," said Craig Scott, program manager of Mosquito and Aquatic Plant Management. "The system's remote in-cab control monitor allows the operator to manage the system without leaving their seat and gives staff all the information needed to track and analyze our spray program."
 
The previous system was a high-pressure system, which was comprised of a combination of components from several companies that needed to be pieced together in order to fit properly.
 
Officials said some of the sprayers were more than 15 years old and in constant need of repair.
 
Mosquito-borne diseases can be transmitted to humans through a mosquito bite, and may be caused by a virus or parasites, according to the Florida Department of Health.
 
Mosquito-borne diseases found in Florida include West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis. Some diseases can be brought back to Florida by infected people or animals, such as chikungunya fever, dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, Rift Valley fever and the Zika virus.
 
There have been no confirmed cases of Zika in Lake County, officials said.
 
Mosquito and Aquatic Plant Management officials asked that residents do their part in decreasing the spread of mosquito-borne viruses by draining standing water, covering bare skin with clothing, using mosquito repellent and covering doors and windows with screens to keep out mosquitoes.
 
To report mosquito activity in your area, call 352-343-9682.

Cox Media Group