NICEVILLE, Fla. — Okaloosa County has released its 2025 mosquito control schedule, outlining areas across the county targeted for weekly spraying and offering prevention tips to help residents reduce mosquito populations and protect against mosquito-borne illnesses.
Spraying began in the county on May 19.
In the City of Niceville, mosquito spraying is on Thursday evenings, while spraying in Valparaiso is scheduled for Mondays, Bluewater Bay is scheduled for Tuesdays, and Rocky Bayou is scheduled for each Wednesday.
The county’s Mosquito Control Program is conducting broadcast pesticide spraying in the evening hours starting one hour before sunset. Routes are scheduled by day and divided by region, including separate zones for North and South Okaloosa, with online maps available to help residents track treatment areas.
Spraying is weather-dependent and based on state-mandated surveillance data. In addition to truck-mounted spraying, the county operates a larviciding program that monitors and treats around 2,000 standing water sites.
More than 750 ponds are also stocked with gambusia fish, known for feeding on mosquito larvae.
The 2025 weekly spray schedule includes:
- Mondays: Crestview, Escambia Farms, Florosa, Valparaiso, and Destin to Airport Rd
- Tuesdays: Laurel Hill, Bluewater Bay, Fort Walton Beach, and Destin to the bridge
- Wednesdays: Rocky Bayou, Brooks Bridge to Memorial Pkwy, and Lewis Turner Blvd
- Thursdays: Shalimar, Ocean City, Mooney Rd, and the City of Niceville
The county and the Florida Department of Health recommend residents follow four key steps to help control the spread of mosquitoes, summarized by the acronym “SWAT”:
- Stay indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
- Wear clothing that covers the skin
- Apply DEET-based repellents when outdoors
- Turn over standing water in containers, birdbaths, and gutters
The county also urges residents to vaccinate horses against Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), particularly during the high-risk months of August through October. Dog owners should ensure their pets receive regular heartworm prevention, as some local mosquito species can transmit the disease.
The Mosquito Control Division, part of the Public Works Department, is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Residents with questions may call 850-651-7394 or 850-689-5772.
Full schedules, prevention advice, and interactive maps are available at myokaloosa.com/pw/environmental/mosquito-control.
