Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 5E-13.036 - Demonstrable Increase or Other Indicator of Arthropod Population Level

(1) Mosquito and other arthropod control programs will ensure that the application of pesticides are made only when necessary by determining a need in accordance with specific criteria that demonstrate a potential for a mosquito-borne disease outbreak or numbers of disease vector mosquitoes sufficient for disease transmission or defined levels of, or a quantifiable increase in numbers of pestiferous mosquitoes or other arthropods as defined by Section 388.011(1), F.S. To determine the need for applications of adulticides, at least one of the following criteria shall be met and documented by records:

(a) When a large population of adult mosquitoes is demonstrated by either a quantifiable increase in, or a sustained elevation of, mosquito population level as detected by landing rate counts or trap counts.

(b) Where adult mosquito populations build to levels exceeding twenty-five (25) mosquitoes per trap night or five (5) mosquitoes per trap hour during crepuscular periods or exceeding locally established thresholds which can be verified by documented surveillance records.

(c) When requests for arthropod control have been confirmed by one or more standard surveillance methods, which include:

1. Landing rate counts.

2. Mosquito trap counts.

3. Visual confirmation of the presence of adult or immature mosquitoes by a licensed applicator, or an applicator operating under the Direct Supervision of a licensed applicator.

(d) When a program receives a notification from the Florida Department of Health of a suspected human or animal arbovirus infection that may indicate an increased risk of arbovirus transmission in local mosquitoes.

(e) When a program is following the guidelines set forth in the Interagency Arbovirus Task Force Response Plan for Mosquito-Borne Diseases, Version 1.0 (02/04/2022) incorporated herein by reference and available online at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-15994 and available upon request by contacting the Department at Mosquito Control Program, 3125 Conner Blvd, Suite E, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1650 and MosquitoControlReports@FDACS.gov.

(f) When counts as determined by landing rate counts in the daytime exceed 5 per minute for stable flies (dogflies) on beaches and bayshores.

(2) Aircraft applications of mosquito adulticides along beaches and bayshores shall be justified only when there is a demonstrable three-fold increase over a base population.

(3) Preventative barrier applications of mosquito adulticides are exempt from the requirement to demonstrate an increased mosquito pressure. All applications must be conducted in accordance with label requirements and the requirements of 5E-13.0331, F.A.C., and must be recorded as specified in 5E-13.040(8), F.A.C.

(4) All surveillance and adulticide application records shall be kept on file for at least three (3) years.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 5E-13.036

Rulemaking Authority 388.361 FS. Law Implemented 388.361(2)(a) FS.

New 2-10-87, Formerly 10D-54.036, Amended 3-14-94, 7-5-95, 8-9-06, Amended by Florida Register Volume 49, Number 217, November 7, 2023 effective 11/19/2023.

New 2-10-87, Formerly 10D-54.036, Amended 3-14-94, 7-5-95, 8-9-06, 11-19-23.