Pest Control: Mutant Mosquitoes Come To Florida

WAMU 88.5 | By Amanda Williams

Published April 26, 2021 at 1:21 PM EDT

Billy Ryan and Meredith Kruse (L-R) with the Florida Keys mosquito control department inspect a neighborhood for any mosquitos or areas where they can breed as the county works to eradicate mosquitos carrying dengue fever in Key Largo, Florida.

You know mosquito bites are annoying. But they actually kill hundreds of thousands of people every year, primarily by transmitting disease. In fact, mosquitoes kill more humans than any other being on earth, including other humans.

However, in a bid that seems a bit backward, the state of Florida is about to allow the release of millions of genetically-modifiedinsects into the wild. It’s an effort actually meant to reduce local populations that carry diseases like dengue or the Zika virus.

It’s an experiment some are comparing to Jurassic Park. And not everyone is happy about the development. Some Floridians have protested the mosquitos’ introduction and questioning the record of the company set to release them.

If you’re also concerned about cicadas, we’ve got you covered there. We talked about the impending cicada swarm.

But could these mutant bugs save lives?

Pest Control: Mutant Mosquitoes Come To Florida

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