Destin, Florida – Okaloosa County will begin its seasonal mosquito control spraying on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, as warmer weather brings more mosquito activity across the area.
The county’s Mosquito Control Program will carry out spraying throughout Okaloosa County, though federal and state-owned land are not included in the program.
Spray trucks usually operate one hour before sunset and/or one hour after sunrise, since those are the times when many mosquito species are most active. County officials note, however, that mosquitoes can still be active outside those windows. In rare cases, broadcast spraying may also take place during daylight hours.
In Fort Walton Beach, the city’s spraying schedule includes Fort Walton Beach south of Cinco Bayou on Wednesday. On Thursday, spraying is planned for the Garniers Beach and Kenwood neighborhoods.
The schedule is not guaranteed to remain unchanged. Weather, equipment issues or other operational concerns may force adjustments. Under state law, spraying must also be justified before it happens. That justification comes through mosquito population surveillance data and other approved methods used by the state.
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Residents can view a map of the spraying schedule for Okaloosa County for more details on when trucks may be operating in their area.
Spraying is only one part of the county’s mosquito control work. Okaloosa County also runs a large larvicide program aimed at stopping mosquitoes before they become adults. Around 2,000 sites are regularly monitored and treated. The county also stocks more than 750 ponds and standing-water areas with gambusia fish, which eat mosquito larvae and reproduce quickly.
County officials are also reminding residents to protect outdoor animals from mosquito-borne diseases. Horses should be vaccinated against Eastern Equine Encephalitis, known as EEE. West Nile virus and EEE can appear at any time of year, but cases tend to peak in August, September and October. Horses need two vaccine shots given 3 to 6 weeks apart, followed by boosters every 3 to 6 months.
Dog owners are encouraged to make sure their pets are treated for heartworms, since some mosquitoes in Okaloosa County can spread the disease.
The Mosquito Control Division of Public Works is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Residents can call 850-651-7394 or 850-689-5772 for more information.
Residents can also learn how to protect themselves from mosquitoes and prevent breeding around their homes by visiting the Okaloosa County Mosquito Control webpage.
