JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- Mosquitoes, mosquitoes everywhere! That's what officials are dealing with across the River City.
Traditionally, September is the worst month for West Nile cases. This year, is no exception.
"That's usually one of our wettest months. It results in the culmination of rainfall and higher fall tides that bring mosquitoes throughout the county," said Richard Smith, Superintendent of the Duval County Mosquito Control Division.
We dropped by Mosquito Control today to see how testing was going. Turns out...cases really took a spike after Tropical Storm Debby.
"The mosquitoes laid their eggs and went out in search of a blood meal...that allows the disease to migrate away from the concentrated bird population," Smith continued.
So far, Duval County is up to 22 human cases. That's more than last year...and we're not out of the woods yet.
Some say...they're not thinking twice about it.
"Pretty much, they're just annoying. I haven't thought too much about the disease," Leo DeMoret said.
Smith said no one should be letting their guard down. West Nile is still a real threat, and people still need to be taking real precautions.
"Mosquito Control is a community-based effort. We can't be everywhere at once."
In July, Mosquito Control went on 30 aerial spray missions...which is an awful lot. That equaled to about $150,000 worth of insecticide.
