By Cindy Mulla
You did it! You survived Panama City Beach’s first historic record-breaking January deep snowfall, along with the lingering cold 2025 springtime temperatures. It is now official; summertime is heating up while highlighting its outdoor splendor and variety of outdoor activities to enjoy. Yes, officially summer and vacation time are underway!
June not only ushers in the beginning of summer, but also another national week of importance, National Mosquito Control Awareness Week. Really? A week dedicated to mosquitoes! It’s true – and that week is June 15-21. Those tiny, annoying, blood-thirsty little vampires! Why mosquitoes?Fact: The mosquito is the World’s deadliest living creature on Earth!
Globally, millions of people each year die from the tiny bite of the female mosquito.
A single bite has the potential to transmit a virus or parasite that can truly impact your life. It doesn’t matter if you are traveling internationally or close to home; it is still a good habit to remember to wear an approved insect repellent to protect yourself. Before travelling outside or inside the continental United States, take time to visit the Centers for Disease Control’s website for important mosquito-borne disease travel information. Outside the United States, you may need to take precautions to protect yourself against these mosquito-borne diseases: Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika and Malaria. If traveling nationally, closer to home, or whenever you spend time outdoors, remember to take the proper precautions and wear repellent to protect yourself against these mosquito-borne illnesses: Eastern Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile Virus. Just a reminder, please double-check your luggage to make sure you pack insect repellent. You do not want to accidentally bring back an unwanted souvenir. Mosquito disease is real and does exist. When purchasing an insect repellent, always check the label to confirm that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) endorses it. For the best protection, always read the label first and follow the label’s instructions.
Also, don’t forget to protect your pets against dog and cat heartworm. Unfortunately, mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting this parasite, which can adversely affect your fur babies! Remember to annually take your pet(s) to visit your veterinarian to maintain their health and to follow their professional recommendations for dog and cat heartworm. Equestrians, remember to keep your horses’ vaccines up to date, too!
When is National Mosquito Control Awareness Week? Why is it important? What is it about?
This is the ninth annual celebration of the American Mosquito Control Association’s Mosquito Control Awareness Week. The annual event always takes place in June. This year’s observance takes place during the week of June 15-21. The importance of this week is for mosquito control organizations across the nation to focus on educating the public about these main mosquito related topics: the dangers of mosquito borne-disease; personal protection against the female mosquito; how to eliminate/reduce mosquito breeding sites on the home front and business properties; and the significance of professional mosquito control operations and how they scientifically, environmentally and successfully control mosquito populations while protecting the public’s health. Please, take time to visit the American Mosquito Control Website (AMCA) to see how other mosquito control organizations celebrate this important week, promoting sound public health practices against mosquito-borne disease across our nation.
Beach Mosquito Control District (BMCD) encourages all Panama City Beach residents and visitors to contact us with all mosquito concerns or problems. We take pride in the service we provide in our local area. BMCD professionally addresses and resolves each individual service request. Working together, we can improve the future of our public health.
Beach Mosquito Control District’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. We encourage you to contact us (850) 233-5030 or visit our website to place your service request at www.pcbeachmosquito.org. Remember, there is no additional cost to you because your tax dollars cover the service we provide.
Beach Mosquito Control District would like to wish everyone a safe and fun summertime in Panama City Beach.
