Dengue Fever in Florida: How to Protect Your Home from Mosquitoes

Dengue is no longer just a travel-health topic in Florida. Positive cases have been reported across the state this year, and Manatee County recently confirmed its first positive case. If you are searching for dengue fever in Florida, you probably want three things: what dengue is, how it spreads, and what you can do around your home to lower your family’s risk. This guide covers all three. It is general information, not medical advice, and for current case counts and health guidance you should always check the Florida Department of Health.

What Is Dengue Fever?

Dengue is caused by a virus carried by certain mosquitoes. Many people infected have mild symptoms or none at all, but some develop a significant illness with high fever, intense headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and rash. A small number of cases progress to severe dengue, which needs urgent medical care.

Dengue is common in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Most U.S. cases historically have been linked to travel, but Florida has also had locally acquired cases, meaning a person was infected by a mosquito here rather than abroad. Public health officials track both types.

Dengue in Florida and Manatee County: What We Know

Florida has recorded positive dengue cases this year, and Manatee County has now reported its first positive case. We are a pest control company, not a public health agency, so we do not interpret case data. What matters for homeowners is the practical takeaway: dengue-capable mosquitoes are established in Florida, and every reported case is a reminder to cut down mosquito habitat at home. For official case counts, whether cases are travel-related or locally acquired, and any local advisories, see the mosquito resources on our site and the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County.

Which Mosquitoes Spread Dengue?

Mosquito	Appearance	Biting habits	Where it breeds
Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito)	Dark with white lyre-shaped markings on the thorax and banded legs	Bites mostly during the day, often indoors, and prefers people	Small containers of standing water near homes
Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito)	Black with a white stripe down the back and banded legs	Aggressive daytime biter, often in shaded yards	Containers, tires, bromeliads, birdbaths
Culex (common house mosquito)	Plain brown	Mostly dusk and night; does not spread dengue	Dirty, stagnant water, storm drains

Unlike many mosquitoes, Aedes species are active during the day, so the old advice to just avoid dusk and dawn is not enough. They also breed in very small amounts of water, such as a bottle cap or a plant saucer.

Dengue Symptoms: When to See a Doctor

Symptoms usually begin several days after a bite from an infected mosquito. Common symptoms include:

• High fever
• Severe headache and pain behind the eyes
• Muscle, bone, and joint pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Skin rash
• Mild bleeding such as nosebleeds or gum bleeding

Seek medical care promptly for symptoms like fever with severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, difficulty breathing, or extreme fatigue and restlessness. Healthcare providers can advise on treatment, and people who suspect dengue are generally advised to avoid aspirin and NSAIDs unless a doctor says otherwise. Always follow your provider’s instructions.

Someone who is sick with dengue should also avoid further mosquito bites, because mosquitoes that bite an infected person can pick up the virus and spread it to others.

How to Protect Your Family From Mosquito Bites

Use EPA-registered repellent

Choose a repellent registered with the EPA and follow the label. Reapply as directed, and apply sunscreen first if you are using both.

Wear protective clothing

Long sleeves, long pants, and socks reduce exposed skin during outdoor activity, even in the daytime.

Keep mosquitoes outside

Repair torn window and door screens, keep doors closed, and use air conditioning when possible.

Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites: The Most Important Step

Aedes mosquitoes live close to where they hatch, so what you do in your own yard matters. Once a week, walk your property and look for anything that holds water:

Common breeding spot	What to do
Flower pot saucers and plant trays	Empty weekly or remove the saucer
Birdbaths and pet water bowls	Scrub and refresh water at least weekly
Buckets, toys, and tarps	Turn over or store under cover
Old tires	Dispose of properly or cover
Clogged gutters and drains	Clear debris so water flows
Bromeliads and plant axils	Rinse out regularly or flush with a hose
Boat covers and pool covers	Remove pooled water
Unused pools or ornamental ponds	Keep maintained or stock appropriately

After heavy rain, which is common in a Florida fall, repeat the check. Water that sits for about a week or more can produce a new generation of mosquitoes.

Professional Mosquito Control: What It Can and Cannot Do

Professional treatment can significantly reduce mosquito populations around your home, especially when paired with breeding-site removal. A technician can inspect your yard for hidden sources, treat resting areas such as shrubs and shaded vegetation, and address larval habitats. Treatments reduce mosquitoes; they do not guarantee that you will never be bitten, and they do not replace repellent, screens, or medical advice. See our guide on mosquito control in Florida and why effective mosquito control matters.

Bradenton and Manatee County homeowners can learn more about local service on our Bradenton mosquito control page.

Fall Mosquito Season in Florida

Florida’s mosquito season does not end when summer does. Warm, humid weather and fall rains keep breeding going well into the cooler months, and mosquitoes only slow down significantly during real cold snaps. For more seasonal tips, read our fall pest control guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
Can you catch dengue from another person?	Not through ordinary contact. Dengue spreads when a mosquito bites an infected person and then bites someone else.
Which mosquitoes spread dengue in Florida?	Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Both bite during the day and breed in small containers of water.
Is there dengue in Manatee County?	Manatee County has reported its first positive case. For current details and whether it was travel-related or locally acquired, check the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County.
How can I make my yard less attractive to mosquitoes?	Remove standing water weekly, clear gutters, trim dense vegetation, and consider professional mosquito control.
Do mosquito treatments prevent dengue?	Treatments reduce mosquito populations, which can lower bite risk, but they should be combined with repellent, screens, and breeding-site removal. They are not a medical protection.
What should I do if I think I have dengue?	Contact a healthcare provider, avoid mosquito bites while sick, and follow medical advice on medications and care.

Serving Homes Across Florida

Prodigy Pest Solutions provides residential pest and mosquito control in these communities:

• Sarasota
• Bradenton
• Venice
• Parrish
• Lakewood Ranch
• Boca Raton
• Tampa

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. For health concerns, consult a healthcare provider, and for official case data visit the Florida Department of Health.