Jeff Branick, assistant to the county judge, said the mosquito control has been spraying, but the chemicals are ineffective when the temperature falls below 60 degrees.

“The wind has been too high and foggy planes can’t get off the ground. They’ve been getting after it, but we’ve received no answer from state emergency management,” he said. “We’ve had pretty good drainage after the storm. It’s just been a wet period.”

In Orange County, the mosquito count should be going down rather than up this time of year. Patrick Beebe, mosquito control director, said after cold fronts leave and the winds shift from the south, warm air and moisture is pulled in from the Gulf and increase mosquito activity.

“Basically, our levels are normal for January; a couple of mosquitoes here are cool weather mosquitoes. Some mosquitoes go through a type of hibernation for insects and seek shelter from the elements. They pick up activity when the weather warms,” Beebe said.

He added there’s no way to foretell if the year will be busy for West Nile Virus since it cycles and fluctuates, but certain indicators may predict a higher number such as with the migration of birds.

The slower pace during winter is essential for Beebe to perform some much-needed maintenance on equipment.

dball@panews.com