Abstract: The Lee County Mosquito Control District (LCMCD) manages the mosquito population throughout Lee County, Florida by utilizing classic Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) techniques, and incorporating emerging technologies that can provide additional effective and efficient treatment options for pestiferous and disease vector mosquitoes. In 2022 LCMCD acquired a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system for use in habitat determination and polygon verification concerning aerial and ground larviciding missions. LCMCD recognizes the potential for various applications of LiDAR data in mosquito control. LiDAR is a powerful remote sensing technology that collects precise three-dimensional data of surface features, which are classifiable based on sensor characteristics, and can be used to generate elevation models with overlaying vegetation and infrastructure removed to reveal previously obscured bare earth and waterbodies. Primary objectives for this technology at LCMCD include; locating cryptic breeding locations within aerially obscured regions too densely vegetated to inspect thoroughly, predicting breeding habitats based on high-resolution elevation models and corresponding tidal/rain data, and change detection studies in ambiguous and dynamic habitats that pose significant challenges to aerial visual inspection. The current implementation of LiDAR includes conducting habitat research and refining treatment polygons to provide more prescribed treatments to breeding locations. Despite being in its infancy, LiDAR Operations at LCMCD have improved aerial larviciding missions and are projected to accumulate enough potential savings to cover the cost of the initial investment.
