§ 15-247. Definitions.

For the purposes of this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Artificial container means any bucket, barrel, tire, bottle, tub, tank, gutter, bird bath, swimming pool, ornamental pond, flower pot, jar or any other such manmade items capable of collecting water.

Breeding source means any condition capable of sustaining the reproduction of mosquitoes. This shall include both artificial container and natural conditions or containers.

Canal means a long, wide hollow whose primary purpose is drainage or flood control.

Director means the Director of the Hernando County Mosquito Control Department. The term also means the authorized representative of the director.

Ditch means a long, narrow hollow used for the purpose of drainage or irrigation.

Enforcement officer means a person or code enforcement officer designated by the board of county commissioners to enforce this article.

EPA means the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Evidence of mosquito breeding means the natural presence of mosquito larva, pupa, or their remains.

Insecticide means a chemical agent which kills or prevents the reproduction of insects.

Integrated arthropod control means the implementation of arthropod control measures, including, but not limited to, the use of pesticides and biological control agents and source reduction, to control arthropods without an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment.

Larva means the immature, fully aquatic stage of mosquito development in which the insect appears as a small, wingless, worm-like form.

Larvicide means a chemical agent which kills or prevents the reproduction of mosquito larvae.

Mosquito means a small long-legged, two-winged insect of the family Culicidae, in which the female of the species is distinguished by a long proboscis for sucking blood.

Natural body of water means any spring, stream, pond, lake, or wetland that was historically present in a natural state but may have been physically altered over time. A pond built in an area where there was no surface water or wetland present is not a natural body of water.

Occupant means the person who has the use of or occupies any building or any part thereof or who has the use or possession, actual or constructive, of the premises whether the owner or tenant. In the case of vacant buildings or vacant portions of a building, or in case of occupancy in whole or in part by the owner, the owner of the building shall be deemed to be, and shall have the responsibility of an occupant of such building.

Owner means the person owning the building or premises.

Person means individuals, firms, partnerships, associations, public or private institutions, municipalities, political subdivisions of the State of Florida, governmental agencies, and public or private corporations.

Pestiferous arthropod means those insects of public health or nuisance importance, including all mosquitoes, midges, sand flies, dog flies, yellow flies, and house flies.

Premises means a parcel of real property, including all buildings and structures located thereon.

Pupa means the immature, fully aquatic stage of mosquito development immediately following the larval stage and preceding the adult form in which the insect appears as a small, wingless, worm-like shape with a greatly enlarged head.

Responsible party means the owner of the property that is the site of the mosquito or other pestiferous arthropod breeding.

Stock tank means a manmade pond or artificial container used to provide drinking water for livestock such as cattle or horses.

Tire means a continuous covering for the wheel of a vehicle usually made of rubber reinforced with cords of nylon, fiberglass or other material and filled with compressed air.

(Ord. No. 2011-15, § 3, 9-13-11)