Mosquito-Borne Diseases In Jacksonville

Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance—they also pose health risks. But how much of a threat do they really pose, and what can you do to protect yourself? In this guide, we’ll break down the key facts about mosquito-borne diseases in the Jacksonville area, explain how these pests spread pathogens, and, most importantly, share effective ways to keep them at bay.

At Lindsey Pest Services, we take mosquito control seriously. With our advanced treatment options, we help Jacksonville residents reclaim their yards and reduce the risks associated with these pesky biters.

What viruses do mosquitoes spread in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville’s warm, humid climate creates the perfect environment for mosquitoes to thrive—unfortunately, some carry harmful viruses. While not every mosquito is dangerous, certain species in our area are capable of spreading illnesses that impact both people and animals. Some mosquito-borne diseases are present here yearly, while others occasionally show up.

Endemic mosquito-borne diseases

What does endemic mean? Endemic diseases occur regularly in our area. Why? Because they are found in local animal populations and emerge year after year as a continual threat to public health. Here are the endemic viruses to watch for:

• West Nile Virus (WNV).
• Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)       
• St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE)
• Keystone Virus

These localized diseases are considered dangerous and even potentially fatal due to encephalitis (brain swelling). Fortunately, cases are low. Moreover, the Jacksonville Mosquito Control Division tracks these diseases using advanced surveillance methods, such as a sentinel chicken program. It may sound odd, but monitoring chickens provides an early warning of higher-than-normal disease activity.

Travel-associated mosquito-borne diseases

Some mosquito-borne diseases are not found in local animal populations. They are only a concern when travelers bring them into the country. When these diseases are spread, we call them outbreaks. Here are a few viruses to watch for:

• Zika Virus
• Dengue Fever
• Chikungunya
• Malaria
• Yellow Fever

Most Florida residents don’t spend much time thinking about these viruses unless they appear on the news. Let’s look at why this is the case.  

How mosquito viruses spread

We all get mosquito bites; it comes with living in Jacksonville, but you may have noticed that you don’t get sick every time a mosquito bites you. Why? Here are a few reasons:

• Not all mosquitoes are infected. A mosquito must contract a disease before it can spread it. Many mosquitoes that bite you are mosquitoes that are biting for the first time.
• Not all mosquitoes spread every disease. They must have the ability to do so.
• Many people get mosquito-borne viruses and have light or no symptoms. For example, one reason Zika Virus spreads so quickly is that 80 percent of people infected are asymptomatic. 

There is also no way to know which mosquitoes are infected when you enter nature. We recommend taking general precautions, just in case.  

Mosquito prevention tips for Jacksonville residents

When you’re planning to spend time outside, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of mosquito bites:

• Apply repellent to your clothing.
• Apply all-natural repellents to your skin periodically while out and about.
• Reapply repellents as needed, particularly after swimming or sweating.
• Use a repellent for your dog as well.
• Wear light-colored clothing to make it harder for mosquitoes to lock on you and land.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing so mosquitoes can’t get their mouthparts through fabric pores and into your skin.
• Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants to reduce exposed skin.
• Avoid going out at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

Along with these personal prevention tips, consider these tips for reducing the number of mosquitoes in your yard:

• Remove containers that capture rainwater.
• Turn kiddie pools over.
• Empty rainwater from pool covers and tarps.
• Empty tire swings, etc.
• Water plants in the early morning to keep things dry.
• Remove flowering weeds (these are a food source for mosquitoes).  

Small steps like these can have a significant impact.

How professional mosquito control makes a difference

Professional control is the easiest and most effective way to guard yourself, your kids, and your pets from unexpected exposure on your property. Your yard is where you are most likely to get bitten. Female mosquitoes lay a hundred eggs at a time. If your property doesn’t have the protection it needs, you’ll have an irritating swarm. 

Ongoing mosquito control helps by drastically reducing mosquito activity, deterring mosquito development, and preventing mosquito breeding. All of this happens without any intervention on your part. Your mosquito control plan does all of the work for you, so you can focus on doing things in your yard that you want to do, like relaxing by the pool, working in your garden, or having cookouts. These activities are better without irritating and potentially harmful mosquitoes hovering about. 

Take back your yard from relentless mosquitoes! Whether you’re looking for year-round mosquito control or a quarterly home pest control plan that includes mosquito treatments, Lindsey Pest Services has you covered. Don’t let these buzzing pests ruin your outdoor time—contact us today and reclaim your space!