UF Study Reveals Unexpected Mosquito Threat in Florida Backyards

Florida residents may have more reason to pay attention to what is happening in their own backyards following a University of Florida study examining where people encounter mosquitoes capable of spreading dengue.

Researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) found unexpectedly high numbers of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in residential yards in Indian River County.

The species is one of the primary mosquitoes responsible for transmitting dengue worldwide.

Researchers initially expected to find more Aedes albopictus, another species capable of transmitting dengue, because of the area's suburban setting and vegetation.

“It was definitely surprising to find that we saw more Aedes aegypti,” said Panpim Thongsripong, an assistant professor of vector-borne disease ecology at the UF/IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory.

The findings came from a study that combined traditional mosquito trapping with an innovative smartphone application called Bite Diary.

The app allowed residents to record when and where they experienced mosquito bites, providing researchers with information about everyday activities that might increase exposure.

Eighty-three people participated in the study, with 71 registering for the application. Researchers also collected 3,788 female mosquitoes from traps placed in 78 residential yards.

Many reported bites occurred during ordinary activities near participants' homes, including walking dogs and gardening.

Interestingly, researchers found that the number of mosquitoes collected in a yard did not necessarily correspond with the number of bites residents reported.

Instead, people spending more time outdoors during evening hours were more likely to report being bitten.

The findings highlight why mosquito prevention should extend beyond public parks, canals and other areas commonly associated with mosquito activity.

Residential yards can provide breeding locations, particularly when containers are allowed to collect standing water.

Researchers recommend regularly emptying water-holding containers and using mosquito repellents containing active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin or PMD.

Small amounts of standing water can provide breeding opportunities for mosquitoes, making regular yard maintenance an important part of prevention.

While the findings were collected in Indian River County, the lessons are relevant to families throughout South Florida, including residents who frequently spend time outdoors.

Researchers emphasized that finding mosquitoes capable of transmitting dengue does not necessarily mean the disease is circulating in the study area.

The study also demonstrated how technology and public participation can help scientists better understand mosquito exposure.

By combining information about human behavior with traditional mosquito surveillance, researchers hope to improve public health education and prevention efforts.

For South Dade families, the message is a practical one: mosquito prevention begins close to home, and even everyday activities in the backyard deserve attention.