This milestone is more than a celebration of history. It's a celebration of community partnership and public health success.
For 75 years, Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services (MMS) has been on the front lines of protecting residents from mosquito-borne diseases and reducing the number of mosquitoes. Now, the unit is inviting the public behind the scenes for a special anniversary celebration.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, May 10, 2025, Mosquito Management is opening its doors to help residents learn how the program has evolved over the decades and where it's headed. The family fun event will be held at 6527 Eureka Springs Rd., Tampa, FL 33610, and will feature guided tours of the facility, interactive displays and exhibits, and the opportunity to view and take photos inside a Mosquito Management helicopter.
75 Years of History Protecting Public Health through Education and Service
The first organized mosquito control efforts in the Tampa area were conducted by the Davis Island Civic Association, which contracted for aerial spraying of the island. In 1947, the contract spray plane crashed, destroying the aircraft. The association then directed its approach toward the formation of an organized county mosquito control effort that led to the creation of Hillsborough County Mosquito Control by a Special Act of the State Legislature on June 13, 1949. In September of the same year, the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners levied .25 mill to fund the mosquito management services program effort. In 1994, the Board voted to place Mosquito Management under what is now known as Public Works, which is where the unit lives today.
Mosquito Management continues help protect residents from the pesky insects by monitoring for mosquito-borne illnesses, and controlling mosquitoes through biological methods, trapping, elimination of breeding sites, destruction of larvae, and spraying products approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the street level and from the sky. There are 30 mosquito traps throughout the County to keep track of the mosquito population, and the Sentinel Chicken Program monitors for the Encephalitis viruses in birds before they reach humans. Mosquito Management Services also works with the Florida Department of Health to monitor mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, Zika, and chikungunya.
Empowering the Community
Education is a key part of Mosquito Management's strategy. At the May 10 event, residents will learn practical tips on how to reduce mosquito breeding grounds around their homes and how small changes can make a big impact. They will also learn about the tools that Mosquito Management uses, including the vehicles, the helicopter, and even the chickens.
To learn more about Hillsborough County's mosquito control efforts, visit HCFL.gov/Mosquito.
Learn ways to prevent the spread of mosquitos at HCFL.gov/FightTheBite.