South Walton County Mosquito Control District
Our Office Will Be Closed On Monday May 25, 2020 In Observance Of Memorial Day
The safety and well-being of our constituents, visitors and employees is South Walton County Mosquito Control Districts highest priority.
SWCMCD has continued monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation closely through the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and State and Local agencies.
The Walton County Health Department has recommended that we remain closed until further notice.
Consequently, SWCMCD will continue doing everything we can to protect the best interest of our community while meeting the CDC guidelines for small group contact while meeting our mission for keeping our district healthy from arboviruses transmitted by mosquitoes.
Service requests will continue to be monitored and can be submitted through our website at https://southwaltonmosquitocontrol.org or calling the office at (850) 267-2112.
For more information please contact publicrelations@swcmcd.org
UPDATED STATEMENT
South Walton County Mosquito Control District
STATEMENT April 14, 2020
It is our policy to never comment on specific personnel matters. Our employees, current or former, are entitled to the privacy afforded employees; we respect that. To the extent that there is any conflict, we intend to keep discussions in the proper channels. That said, some recent allegations, while embedded in a personnel matter, include policy issues, as well. It’s fair to address the policy-related issues.
Our mission is to suppress pestiferous and disease-carrying mosquito populations in the safest, most ecological and economical way. We do this through a professional staff that is dedicated to protecting people, wildlife and the environment while responsibly and efficiently using public dollars to do so.
As people are social-distancing and quarantining here and everywhere, it’s a good time to remember how devastating disease can be. Mosquitos are disease carriers and it’s our job to suppress their populations to protect the people of South Walton County. We have a variety of techniques and tools to do that. Some are chemical, but some are not. Whatever tools, processes or techniques are employed, each is in complete compliance with our own policies, procedures and state law.
We protect water quality; we don’t harm it. We manage both the livestock and wildlife that support or threaten our ability to protect the public. We will continue to do so.
Next Regular Board Meeting is on, June 23, 2020 @ 9:30 a.m. at the Headquarters office.
The mission of the South Walton County Mosquito Control District (SWCMCD) is to serve the district by suppressing both pestiferous and disease carrying mosquito populations to a tolerable level in the safest, most economical manner, utilizing a variety of methods in such a way as to minimize potential effects on people, wildlife and the environment while maximizing the value to the district’s taxpayers.
On May 26, 1964, SWCMCD was established as a Florida Independent Special Taxing District for the sole purpose of controlling mosquitoes and other nuisance insects to improve the quality of life in beautiful South Walton County.
View the Presentation put together by the District and Hydro Solutions Consulting Inc.
Mosquito-Control-Ditches-Infrastructure-in-Transition HS
South Walton County is home to beautiful white sand beaches, emerald green waters, miles of forested trails and rare coastal dune lakes. Residents and visitors in South Walton enjoy paradise with abundant sunshine and beautiful weather.
While the year-round temperate weather is one of the many perks of living in South Walton County, residents of the Sunshine State can tell you those perks come with a price.
Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever have plagued humans for thousands of years. Although organized mosquito control in Florida has greatly reduced the incidence of these diseases, the threat still remains for some mosquito transmitted diseases including West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, dengue fever and dog heartworm.
South Walton County Mosquito Control District has been serving our residents and visitors since 1964. The District uses an integrated approach to reduce mosquito populations including biological, mechanical, and chemical control techniques along with public education and positive relations through excellent customer service.
The District monitors for arbovirus transmission activity using mosquito trap collections and sentinel chicken flocks distributed throughout the District. When arbovirus transmission of significant threat to human health is detected, that area of the District is thoroughly inspected and treated to eliminate mosquito activity.
Source reduction is the most important technique that all homeowners can engage in to reduce mosquitoes by locating and eliminating possible breeding places. Look for standing water and remove unneeded water containers. Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers.
You are the first line of defense so please remember the 5 D’s of Protection:
- Drain – Empty all containers in your yard
- Dress – Wear light colored, long, loose clothing
- Defend – Choose good repellent such as DEET
- Dusk and Dawn – Avoid outdoor activity during these times
Most everyone is familiar with the spray trucks that visit the different areas of our district in the evenings with their lights flashing and the sound of the spray unit running, but there are many more aspects to our program. Click here for information about SWCMCD Operations.
Interested applicants should print and complete the application above, and return to our office by email to director@swcmcd.org or drop off / mail to the office:
South Walton County Mosquito Control District
P.O. Box 1130
Santa Rosa Beach FL, 32459
Current open positions
- Part Time Evening Spray Technicians
- Maintenance Technician