Their diverse expertise allows us to approach mosquito control from multiple angles. From monitoring pesticide resistance and using drones for targeted treatments, to exploring natural mosquito control methods and tracking mosquito-borne diseases, our staff are constantly working to advance the science of mosquito control. They even identify new mosquito species in the area, allowing us to adapt our approach as needed. Through innovation and science, we’re always improving how and when we fight mosquitoes.
Research and Publications
Steele G, Lucas K, Li S. (2025) Evaluation of a bifenthrin-based barrier treatment for controlling Aedes taeniorhynchus populations on an isolated barrier island in Collier County Florida. J Am Mosq Control Assoc.
Bales RB, Rosales A, Konieczny O, Li S, Lucas KJ. (2025) Tech and Transit: Advancing Collier Mosquito Control District’s Mosquitofish Program. Wingbeats. Summer 2025 Issue.
McDuffie D, Kacinskas S, Li S, Parker-Crockett, Lucas KJ*. (2025) Evaluation of ground and aerial ultra-low volume applications using ReMoa Tri against deltamethrin-resistant Aedes aegypti from Collier County, Florida. Trop Med Infect Dis 10: 119.
Estep AS, Sanscrainte ND, Farooq M, Lucas KJ, Heinig RL, Norris EJ, Becnel JJ. (2025) Impact of Aedes aegypti 1016I and 1534C knockdown resistance genotypes on operational interventions. Sci Rep. 15: 10146.
Martin H, Reeves L, Steele G, Rosales A, Heinig R, Lucas KJ*. (2024) Aedeomyia squamipennis: A new genus and species record for Collier County, Florida. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 40: 174-177.
Lucas KJ, Heinig R, Lake L, Williams K, Parker-Crockett C, Bales RB, Decyo McDuffie. (2024) Evaluation of a novel triple-action adulticide containing a pyrethroid, macrocyclic lactone, and fatty acid against pyrethroid-resistant Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae). J Med Entomol. 61: 701-709.
Heinig RL, Morreale R, Reeves LE, Llyod A, Hoel D, Lucas KJ. (2023) Detection of Aedes scapularis in southwest Florida. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 39: 281-83.
Lucas KJ, Babcock E, Bales RB. (2023). Baseline susceptibility and effectiveness of adulticides to local Aedes taeniorhynchus from Collier County, Florida. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 39: 212-15.
Heinig R, Reeves LE, and Lucas KJ. (2023) Aedes tortilis, Culex declarator, and Culex tarsalis: New county records for mosquito species in Collier County, Florida. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 39: 149-56.
Lucas KJ, Heinig R. (2023) In-house testing of mosquito pools for West Nile virus using immunoassay and Real Time PCR test kits. J Florida Mosq Control Assoc. 70: 49-53.
Lucas KJ, Bales RB. (2022) Insecticide resistance evaluation of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from Collier County, Florida. Arthropod Management Tests. 47(1).
Heinig R, Rosales A, Deile J, Lucas KJ. (2022) Improved sample tray for adult mosquito identification. Wingbeats. Fall 2022 Issue.
Brake PB, Weiss A, Bales RB, Heinig R, Lucas KJ. (2022) Drone vs. Gator: Development of a new drone deployable emergence trap. Wingbeats. Summer 2022 Issue.
Bales RB, Brake P, Weiss A, Lucas KJ*. (2022) Evaluation of emergence trap design for the collection of Mansonia mosquitoes associated with Pistia stratiotes. J Florida Mosq Control Assoc.
Lucas KJ, Brake P, Bales RB, King R, McKinney A, Laidlaw-Bell C, Linn P, Ritchie SA. (2021) New life for old ideas: Combining modern technology with eggshell sampling techniques to identify saltmarsh mosquito production sites in Collier County, Florida. Wingbeats. Spring 2021 Issue.
Watkins A, Babcock E, Lucas KJ. (2021) Ornamental bromeliads of local Botanical Gardens serve as larval production sites for pyrethroid-resistant Culex quinquefasciatus in Collier County, Florida. J Florida Mosq Control Assoc. 68: 14-23.
Yang B, Borgert BA, Alto BW, Brabant P, Brew J, Deutsch K, DeValerio JT, Dinglasan RR, Fisher-Grainger SL, Glass GE, Hoel DH, Horton A, Kelner B, Kraemer MUG, Lucas KJ, Medina J, Morreale R, Petrie W, Reiner Jr. RC, Riles M, Salje H, Smith DL, Smith JP, Vasquez C, Cummings DAT. (2021) Modelling distributions of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus using climate, host density and interspecies competition. PLoS Neg Trop Dis. 15(3): e0009063.
Lucas KJ(co), Brake P(co), Grant S, Lake L, Bales RB, Ryan R, Phillips N, Linn P. (2020) Characterization and efficacy of VectoBac® WDG applications targeting container-inhabiting mosquitoes utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. J Florida Mosq Control Assoc. 67: 84-90.
Lucas KJ, Bales RB, McCoy KD, Weldon C. (2020) Oxidase, esterase and kdr-associated pyrethroid resistance identified in Culex quinquefasciatus field collections from Collier County, Florida. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 36(1):22–32.
Lucas KJ, Watkins A, Phillips N, Appazatto DJ, Linn P. (2019) The impact of Hurricane Irma on population density of the Black Salt Marsh Mosquito, Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann), in Collier County, Florida. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 35(1):71–74.
Estep AS, Sanscrainte ND, Waits CM, Bernard SJ, Lloyd A, Lucas KJ, Buckner E, Vaidyanathan R, Morreale R, Conti L, Becnel JJ. (2018) Quantification of permethrin resistance and kdr alleles in Florida populations of Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse). PLoS Neg Trop Dis. 12(10): e0006544.
Dukes J, Zhong H, Greer M, Hester P, Hogan D, Barber JAS. (2004) A Comparison of two ultra-low-volume spray nozzle systems by using a multiple swath scenario for the aerial application of fenthion against adult mosquitoes. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 20(1): 36-44.
Dukes J, Zhong H, Greer M, Hester P, Hogan D, Barber JAS. (2004) A comparison of two spray nozzle systems used to aerially apply the ultra-low-volume adulticide fenthion. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 20(1): 27-35.
Klein SL, Lemire GF. (1998) Evaluation of attractant-baited traps/targets for mosquito management on Key Island, Florida, USA. J Vector Ecol. 23: 171-185.
Klein DL, Lemire GF. (1995) Field evaluation of heat as an added attractant to traps baited with carbon dioxide and octenol for Aedes taeniorhynchus. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 11: 454-456.
Ritchie SA, Montague CL. (1995) Simulated populations of the black salt march mosquito (Aedes taeniorhynchus) in a Florida mangrove forest. Ecological Modeling. 77: 123-141.
Ritchie SA, Laidlaw-Ball C. (1994) Do fish repel oviposition by Aedes taeniorhynchus? J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 10(3): 380-384.
Ritchie SA. (1993) Application of radar rainfall estimates for surveillance of Aedes taeniorhynchus larvae. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 9: 228-231.
Addison DS, Ritchie SA. (1993) Cattle fatalities from prolonged exposure to Aedes taeniorhynchus in Southwest Florida. JSTOR. 56: 65-69.
Ritchie SA, Addition DS. (1992) Oviposition Preferences of Aedes taeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Florida Mangrove Forests. Envir Entomol. 21: 737-744.
Ritchie SA, Johnson ES. (1991) Aedes taeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae) Oviposition Patterns in a Florida Mangrove Forest. J Med Entomol. 28: 496-500.
Ritchie SA, Johnson ES. (1991) Distribution and Sampling of Aedes taeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae) Eggs in a Florida Mangrove Forest. J Med Entomol. 28: 270-274.
Richie SA, Addison DS. (1991) Collection and separation of Aedes taeniorhynchus eggshells from mangrove soil. J Am Mosq Assoc. 7: 113-115.
Ritchie SA. (1990) A simulation model of water depth in mangrove basin forests. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 6: 213-222.
Ritchie SA, Johnson ES. (1990) Use of sodium hypochlorite to detect aedine mosquito eggs in mangrove soils and insect feces. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 5: 612-613.
Ritchie SA. (1985) Hay infusion and isopropyl alcohol-baited CDC light trap; a simple, effective trap for gravid Culex mosquitoes. Mosquito News. 44: 404-407.
Ritchie SA. (1985) Record winter rains and the minimal populations of Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann): cause and effect? J Florida Anti-Mosq Assoc. 55:14-21.
Ritchie SA. (1984) The production of Aedes aegypti by a weekly ovitrap survey. Mosquito News. 44: 77-79.
Ritchie SA. (1983) The green tree frog (Hyla cinerea) as a predators of mosquitoes in Florida. Mosquito News. 42: 619.
Ritchie SA. (1982) The status of Aedes aegypti in western Collier County. J Florida Anti-Mosq Assoc. 53: 35-37.
