Eric holds a degree in Pest Control Technology from the University of Florida and carries all five Florida pest control license categories: General Household Pest, Rodent, Lawn & Ornamental, Wood Destroying Organisms, and Public Health (License JB313837). He personally developed Mosquito Shield's proprietary Mosquito Protection Blend and has been treating South Florida properties for over a decade. When he is not in the field, he is behind every piece of content on this site.
Most South Florida residents think of dengue fever as a tropical travel disease — something you might pick up in the Caribbean, Central America, or Southeast Asia. That was largely true until recently. Local transmission of dengue in Florida has changed the picture, and as a licensed Public Health pest control operator (license JB313837) treating properties throughout Broward and Palm Beach County, I think every South Florida homeowner should understand the risk and what they can do about it.
Why South Florida Is Vulnerable
Three factors make South Florida uniquely susceptible to dengue transmission:
The yellow fever mosquito — dengue's primary vector — is one of the most common mosquito species in Broward and Palm Beach County. It lives close to humans, breeds in tiny amounts of water (flower vases, plant saucers, birdbaths, bottle caps), and bites aggressively during daylight hours.
South Florida's climate supports continuous mosquito populations with no winter interruption. There is no seasonal suppression of Aedes populations the way northern states experience.
South Florida is one of the most internationally connected regions in the United States, with millions of arrivals annually from dengue-endemic regions. A traveler with dengue infection bitten by a local Aedes mosquito can introduce the virus into the local mosquito population.
The Dengue Mosquito: Aedes aegypti
Understanding the vector is essential for protection. Aedes aegypti is different from the mosquitoes most South Florida residents are used to:
| Aedes aegypti (Dengue vector) | Culex (West Nile vector) | |
|---|---|---|
| Biting time | Dawn, dusk, and daytime | Primarily dusk and night |
| Breeding habitat | Small containers — even bottle caps | Larger standing water, storm drains |
| Range | Stays close to homes, rarely travels far | Broader range |
| Diseases | Dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever | West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis, EEE |
| DEET effectiveness | Yes, but bites in daytime when DEET not worn | Yes |
The daytime biting behavior of Aedes aegypti is particularly important. Most personal protection behavior (staying indoors at dusk, using DEET in the evenings) is calibrated for Culex mosquitoes. Aedes aegypti bites during the day, while you are gardening, walking the dog, or sitting on the patio. DEET and barrier spray protection matter throughout the day, not just at dusk.
Eliminating Aedes Breeding Sites
Aedes aegypti breeds in remarkably small amounts of water. Unlike canal and storm-drain mosquitoes that require significant water bodies, dengue vectors breed in household containers. This is actually an advantage — it means you have significant control over their breeding habitat:
- Empty and scrub plant saucers weekly — the most consistently missed breeding site
- Change birdbath water every 3 days — it only takes days for eggs to develop
- Remove or store items that hold water — buckets, watering cans, children's toys, tarps
- Clean clogged gutters monthly — trapped organic matter holds water even in dry periods
- Treat ornamental water features with Bti (mosquito dunks) if they cannot be drained
- Check bromeliads — their leaf axils hold water and are a known Aedes breeding site in South Florida
- Drill drainage holes in recycling bins and yard equipment
Dengue Symptoms and When to See a Doctor
Dengue has four serotypes (DENV-1 through DENV-4). First-time infection is often mild; a second infection with a different serotype carries higher risk of severe dengue. Know the warning signs:
- Sudden high fever (104°F+)
- Severe headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Joint and muscle pain
- Nausea, vomiting
- Skin rash (days 2–5)
- Severe abdominal pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Bleeding from gums or nose
- Blood in urine, stool, or vomit
- Rapid breathing
- Fatigue/restlessness after fever breaks
There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue. Medical care focuses on supportive treatment (fluids, fever management, monitoring). Early medical evaluation is important if you develop these symptoms after mosquito exposure in an area with known dengue risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reduce Your Dengue Risk with Professional Mosquito Control
Barrier spray suppresses Aedes aegypti — the dengue vector — in the resting habitat around your home. Our Public Health-licensed team serves 28+ communities across Broward and Palm Beach County.