Okaloosa County Mosquito Spraying Program Starts May 26

Okaloosa County Mosquito Control will begin seasonal spraying Tuesday, May 26, targeting mosquito populations across the county except on federal and state-owned land.

Spray trucks operate one hour before sunset and one hour after sunrise, when mosquitoes are most active. Daytime spraying occurs only in rare cases. Weather or equipment problems may delay the schedule.

Fort Walton Beach follows its own schedule: Wednesdays for areas south of Cinco Bayou, Thursdays for Garniers Beach and Kenwood.

Beyond spraying, the county treats about 2,000 monitored sites with larvicide and stocks over 750 ponds with gambusia fish, which feed on mosquito larvae. State law requires mosquito control officials to justify spraying through population surveillance data.

Horse owners should vaccinate their animals against Eastern Equine Encephalitis, which peaks in August through October. Horses need two shots spaced three to six weeks apart, then boosters every three to six months. Dog owners should ensure heartworm treatment, as some county mosquitoes transmit the disease.

The Mosquito Control Division operates Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 850-651-7394 or 850-689-5772 for information.