Significant associations between mosquito control service requests and mosquito populations

Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between mosquito population densities and the numbers of telephone requests for mosquito control services made by people in Polk County, Florida. In 32 of 42 census tracts, there were significant (P less than 0.05) correlations between mosquitoes and requests and that, for 16 tracts, a significant linear relationship could be demonstrated between service requests and only one mosquito taxon. The significant associations were dependent on the types of mosquitoes rather than the relative abundance among mosquito groups. Service requests were most often related to Aedes, followed in importance by Culex salinarius and Anopheles; least often to Cx. nigripalpus. Evidence to support a cause and effect relationship is also presented.