Mike McLaughlin, Director of Horticulture at Selby Gardens.
At Selby Gardens we are concerned about the health and well-being of all our guests, volunteers, members and staff.
Along with Visit Sarasota County, we are closely monitoring the Zika virus and its impact in Florida. We would like all of our visitors to know that we are vigilant in keeping our grounds in top shape for everyone to stay safe. Our care for the Gardens uses and integrated pest management program, as well as applied treatments outdoors and in the greenhouses, as necessary.
We work closely with Sarasota County Mosquito Management Services to control our mosquito populations here at the Gardens. All open bodies of water (Koi Pond, CRG pond, Lagoon) have populations of the native mosquito fish (Gambusia holbrooki) that feed on mosquito larvae. During warm months, we treat all of our outdoor tank bromeliads monthly with the bacterium BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), which is a biological larvicide that kills mosquito larvae.
Visitors may be interested in this article our our mosquito management.
For questions about current travel safety information, please connect to VISIT FLORIDA, or call the state’s Florida Zika Virus information hotline at 855-622-6735. The Information Hotline is for Florida residents and visitors, as well as anyone planning on traveling to Florida in the near future.
Please know that while Zika is new to Florida, the state’s emergency response team members are seasoned veterans at handling health-related issues that concern residents and visitors.
Additional Resources