The Mobile County Health Department’s Vector Services division has been working to keep up with a surge in mosquito complaints across the county following weeks of severe weather.
A string of storms, heavy rainfall, strong winds and Tropical Storm Bertha disrupted the department’s nighttime spraying operations on multiple occasions this summer, since safe weather conditions are required to carry out the work.
To catch up on the backlog, the Vector Services team worked through the weekend to resolve complaints that had accumulated during the weather-affected stretch. The department said it remains focused on providing “effective, data-driven mosquito control” for residents across Mobile County.
Beyond spraying operations, Vector Services also monitors for mosquito-borne illness through its Sentinel Chicken Surveillance Program, which has been deployed at 13 strategic locations across the county. The program uses blood samples drawn from roughly 50 sentinel chickens to test for the presence of mosquito-borne viruses. Initial testing this season has not detected any such viruses, according to the department.
Mobile County residents who want to report mosquito activity or request service can do so through the department’s online portal or by calling 251-690-8124 for mosquito control issues and 251-690-8819 for rodent control issues.
The health department also offers an interactive story map under the Community Tools section of its website, providing public education resources on mosquitoes and arbovirus prevention.