Emergency Mosquito Law Approved

County commissioners unanimously approved a measure Wednesday that will authorize mosquito control staff to step in if conditions on private property are allowing the pests to breed during a medical alert advisory.

The ordinance allows staff to implement mosquito abatement measures prior to and during such an advisory. Eric Schreiber, with the county's mosquito management services, said the legislative intent is to protect human health and safety.

"Property owners shall maintain their property that does not [aid] mosquito breeding or nuisance," Schreiber said. "Such condition the local agency shall serve notice to treat, remove or abate the conditions."

In other words, comply with the mosquito ordinance or the county will do it for you during a medical alert advisory. The advisory is designated by the state's department of agriculture or health department.

According to county staff background material:

Mosquito control laws and rights of our Mosquito Control Program are outlined in Chapter 388, Florida Statues. Additional language is needed in the ordinance to provide Mosquito Control staff authority to make domestic inspections and take corrective action on property prior to and during a Medical Alert Advisory to control urban mosquitoes such as mosquito vectors of Dengue Fever.

The existing provision in Chapter 54, Article XV of the Sarasota County Code requires the control and regulation of excessive growth of vegetation and the accumulation of rubbish, trash, refuse or other debris that adversely affect and impair the value of neighboring properties, or otherwise threaten the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Sarasota County. The Office of the County Attorney recommends that Article XV can be easily amended to include the new safeguards for mosquito control.

Schreiber said the mosquito management would be treated similarly to a public nuisance such as overgrowth or outdoor storage.