Impact 5: Neighbors worried abandoned pools are breeding disease-carrying mosquitoes

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Mark Conklin and his family of four don't go outside anymore without loading up on bug spray! He says this is the worst mosquito problem he's seen since moving to Flamingo Park 10 years ago.

“You come outside and there's 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 of them around you very quickly,” Conklin said.

The problem could be lurking over his neighbors' fences -- abandoned  swimming pools!  They’re green. Frogs are swimming in them.

Gary Goode with Palm Beach County Mosquito Control said it’s a problem that comes along with foreclosures.

“We do find occasionally mosquitoes breeding in pools, more often than not it's all the other stuff around these abandoned houses that are causing the mosquito problem."

Things such as pots, toys, and fountains.

Goode said overall mosquito counts are down, but they are around.  The ones biting in this neighborhood are container mosquitoes. Goode said they don't carry West Nile, but could carry Dengue Fever.

“The county needs to do something," Conklin said.

Code Enforcement said it can cite owners if their pools or backyards become a health hazard.

There are also things you can do. Goode said help drain standing water or try dropping fish in your neighbor’s pool.  

Goode said the county can't spray for these types of mosquitoes because they're so-called "day fliers."