Heavy afternoon rains are fueling mosquito activity across Seminole County, and mosquito control crews are using artificial intelligence to identify species faster and improve treatment efforts.
“With the rains that we’ve been having every afternoon, that’s just helping feed more mosquito activity,” said Theressa Jones, Seminole County’s mosquito control program manager.
Mosquito control sets 31 traps around the county each week, using the data to determine where and what kinds of mosquitoes are active. That information guides crews on where to treat with larvicide and, when necessary, fog.
“I literally had to look at every mosquito through my microscope one at a time,” Jones said.
Now, an artificial intelligence machine called IDEX is speeding up the identification process. Crews place the mosquitoes in a tray, slide it into the machine, and IDEX scans them from above and below.
“Then when you click on it, it just starts telling you what the percentage is that it believes that mosquito is, so it tells you as soon as you click on them what you have,” Jones said.
What they find matters because different species point crews in different directions.
“Florida has over 82 different species of mosquitoes,” Jones said. “Here in Seminole County, we’re looking at about 38 of those species. You pick what product you need to use out there.”
Faster identification means faster action. A process that once could take up to two weeks can now be completed in a day.
Mosquito control says residents are also an important part of the surveillance effort. If you notice an increase in mosquitoes around your home, you’re encouraged to contact the county so crews can investigate and treat the area.
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