Naturally Florida Shannon Carnevale and Lara Milligan

In this episode, we explore the mosquitoes of Florida, covering everything from mosquito biology, types of mosquitoes, mosquito surveillance and control, and ways you can yourself from these important, but sometimes pesky insects.

Learn More:


UF/IFAS Document about mosquito repellents (Table of effectiveness at end): https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN419
Mosquitoes & Their Control: Integrated Pest Management for Mosquito Reduction Around Homes and Neighborhoods - https://www.floridahealth.gov/%5C/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases/_documents/fl-resident-guide-to-mosquito-control-ifas.pdf
Mosquito Control Programs - Mosquito Control Programs / Mosquito Control / Business Services / Home - Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (fdacs.gov)
Mosquito-Borne Disease Surveillance - Mosquito-Borne Disease Surveillance | Florida Department of Health (floridahealth.gov)

How You Can Help:


Follow the 3-D’s: Dump standing water; Dress in loose, light-colored, long sleeves and pants; Defend using a CED recommended repellent.
Reach out to your local Mosquito Control District if you’re still having issues with mosquitoes despite efforts to control them around your home: Mosquito Control Programs / Mosquito Control / Business Services / Home - Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (fdacs.gov)
Share this episode or information from this episode with family, friends and colleagues.

Sources for this Episode:


Mosquitoes - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/mosquitoes
FDACS Public Health Applicator’s Manual -https://ccmedia.fdacs.gov/content/download/109002/file/Public-Health-Manual-2023.pdf
Division of Vector-Borne Diseases - https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/index.html  

Special thanks to Alissa Berro, Section Manager, Public Works, Pinellas County for assistance in the script writing of this episode.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations


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In this episode, we explore the mosquitoes of Florida, covering everything from mosquito biology, types of mosquitoes, mosquito surveillance and control, and ways you can yourself from these important, but sometimes pesky insects.

Learn More:


UF/IFAS Document about mosquito repellents (Table of effectiveness at end): https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN419
Mosquitoes & Their Control: Integrated Pest Management for Mosquito Reduction Around Homes and Neighborhoods - https://www.floridahealth.gov/%5C/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases/_documents/fl-resident-guide-to-mosquito-control-ifas.pdf
Mosquito Control Programs - Mosquito Control Programs / Mosquito Control / Business Services / Home - Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (fdacs.gov)
Mosquito-Borne Disease Surveillance - Mosquito-Borne Disease Surveillance | Florida Department of Health (floridahealth.gov)

How You Can Help:


Follow the 3-D’s: Dump standing water; Dress in loose, light-colored, long sleeves and pants; Defend using a CED recommended repellent.
Reach out to your local Mosquito Control District if you’re still having issues with mosquitoes despite efforts to control them around your home: Mosquito Control Programs / Mosquito Control / Business Services / Home - Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (fdacs.gov)
Share this episode or information from this episode with family, friends and colleagues.

Sources for this Episode:


Mosquitoes - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/mosquitoes
FDACS Public Health Applicator’s Manual -https://ccmedia.fdacs.gov/content/download/109002/file/Public-Health-Manual-2023.pdf
Division of Vector-Borne Diseases - https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/index.html  

Special thanks to Alissa Berro, Section Manager, Public Works, Pinellas County for assistance in the script writing of this episode.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations


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Today's episode is all about Florida's pink birds, including the iconic roseate spoonbill and American flamingo.



Learn More:


Read the NPR article we discussed about Hurricane Idalia and Flamingo sightings.
View iNaturalist observations of Flamingos since 2020

How to Help:


Don't feed water birds: Read why, here.
Respect wildlife - view from a distance! Watch a short video about 'Rule of Thumb' for wildlife viewing, here.
Submit your observations to iNaturalist.

Sources:


https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Roseate_Tern/overview 
https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/waterbirds/american-flamingo/ 
https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/waterbirds/roseate-spoonbill/ 



If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations


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In this episode, we explore the two species of skunks found in Florida. A mammal that is so unique, it recently divided from a subfamily of the weasel to become its own family, a stinky one! There is a lot to learn about these mysterious creatures. We will explore the species of life history of Florida’s skunks, where you can find them, some fun skunk behavior and more! ⁠

Learn More: 


Eastern Spotted Skunk Conservation Plan - Microsoft Word - ESS Conservation Plan July82019 (weebly.com) 


Skunks - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/skunks/ 


Living with Skunks - myfwc.com/media/25513/livingwithskunks.pdf 



 

How You Can Help: 


FWC is interested in collecting carcasses of eastern spotted skunks for future genetic analyses. If you observe a deceased spotted skunk, please email skunks@myfwc.com.


You can report both species of skunks (dead or alive) on iNaturalist - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations  




 If you see a skunk, it is not cause for alarm...don’t call a wildlife trapper, just let it be. 



Sources for this Episode: 


Eastern Spotted Skunk Conservation Plan - Microsoft Word - ESS Conservation Plan July82019 (weebly.com) 


Skunks - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/skunks/ 


Eastern Spotted Skunk Cooperative Study Group - https://easternspottedskunk.weebly.com/  



 










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How do you feel about snakes? Not a fan? Well, while we believe snakes are friends, not foes, we recognize it may be comforting to know that the vast majority of snakes in Florida are non-venomous and largely cannot hurt you or your family. On today's episode, we go on a deep dive about Florida's venomous snakes.



Learn more:


Read about identifying the water moccasin and the banded water snake (non-venomous) OR watch this video
Need a refresher on 3 common snakes in residential areas? Listen here: Three Common Snakes in Residential Areas (Podcast Episode)
Dealing With Snakes - Emergency Planning
Preventing Negative Encounters with Snakes
Florida Snakes (Youtube Video)

Calls to action:


Spread the word! Snakes are friends, not foes. They provide a critical link in our food web and are both predator and prey. MOST snakes you see are non-venomous.
Avoid Snake-bite Kits: The only snake-bite kit you need is your cell phone! If you are bitten by a venomous snake OR a snake you can't identify, call 911. Do not wait for symptoms to develop, this is an emergency and time is of the essence.

Sources:


https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/dealing_with_snakes.shtml
https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/venomous_snake_identification.shtml
https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/snakes/






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Manatees are Florida’s gentle giants and are a sight to behold. They are state and federally protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 according to FWC. These gentle giants are Florida’s true natives, and we need to be respectful of these creatures when entering water ways. The goal is to actively co-exist with Florida wildlife. To properly do this we must first learn where we can find manatees, why we can find them in freshwater during the winter months, what they eat, and how we can protect these gentle creatures.  

 

Learn More:


Florida Manatee Facts and Information - https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/manatee/facts-and-information/
Manatee Overview - https://www.fws.gov/species/manatee-trichechus-manatus
Marine Mammal Commission: Florida Manatee
- https://www.mmc.gov/priority-topics/species-of-concern/florida-manatee/
Where Can I See Manatees in Florida? https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/manatee/where-to-see/


How You Can Help:


Boaters should practice best boating practices by adhering to manatee caution signs, no wake zones, and watching for a manatee’s swim patterns.
Keep a safe distance if you do see a manatee.
Report injured, orphaned, entangled, distressed or dead manatees to the FWC WIldlife Alert Hotline 888-404-3922.  You can also download their app, “FWC Wildlife Alert”. You can text 847411 (Tip411) with keyword “FWC” and information about the situation. You can also submit a tip at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert
Monitor fertilizer runoff from yards that back into a known manatee area. 
You can support manatee conservation indirection through the “Save the Manatee License Plate”

Sources for this Episode:


Florida Manatee Facts and Information - https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/manatee/facts-and-information/
Manatee Overview - https://www.fws.gov/species/manatee-trichechus-manatus
Marine Mammal Commission: Florida Manatee - https://www.mmc.gov/priority-topics/species-of-concern/florida-manatee/


If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener
Observations, here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations















































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