Charleston County News Release

MEDIA CONTACT

Name:   Jennie Davis, Charleston County Public Information Officer

Phone: 843.958.4012

Email:   jdavis@charlestoncounty.org

Release Number: 2977

Date: February 18, 2009

County’s Mosquito Control Staff May Visit Your Neighborhood

Charleston County Mosquito Control goes door-to-door to educate the public

There are over 2,500 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world, and of the 200 species existing in the United States, 54 have been identified in Charleston County.

Over the next month, Charleston County Mosquito Control employees will go door-to-door to teach residents about these and many others facts, including how people can help get rid of the pests on their own.

Between Feb. 5 and March 5, County Mosquito Control inspectors will travel in teams to North Charleston, East Cooper, James Island and Johns Island from Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

During the 2009 awareness campaign, the inspectors will distribute educational materials to residents and take samples of mosquitoes found in containers to be brought back to the County’s lab for identification.

"The Mosquito Awareness Campaign is a time to educate citizens about the significance of mosquitoes in their daily lives and how they can help reduce the mosquito population in their own backyards," said Donna Odom, Charleston County Mosquito Control Superintendent.

For security purposes, local police departments will be notified of the inspection areas. Mosquito Control will be working in conjunction with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, and inspectors will not enter a property without the resident’s permission. All inspectors will be identified by wearing Charleston County Government badges.

Last year, approximately 971 homes were visited during the campaign.

"The fight against container-breeding mosquitoes requires ongoing review and education, and the program is designed to educate residents while surveying for mosquito breeding sites," said Odom. “Container-breeding mosquitoes generate up to 30 percent of the requests for service received by our Mosquito Control division each year."

Of these mosquitoes, the tiger mosquito is a significant pest that can carry the West Nile Virus. It is very difficult for Mosquito Control personnel to reduce the number of tiger mosquitoes because they are only daytime biters and have a short flight distance of up to 1,000 feet from where they breed. Therefore, the most effective way to control this mosquito is for residents to eliminate standing water on their property.

Each year, Charleston County Mosquito Control treats over 100,000 acres by aircraft and 730,000 acres through ground spraying.

The public can help by flushing water out of birdbaths and pet dishes with a garden hose, and by turning over or emptying anything that has potential to hold water such as toys, buckets, cans and bottles.

Residents should also consider recycling tires and other appropriate materials. For a list of acceptable recyclable materials, visit http://www.charlestoncounty.org/index2.asp?p=/departments/solidwaste/D-RecyMatrls.htm.

Mosquitoes also grow and live in standing water in other types of areas, including ditches and low spots in yards, fields and woods. Because this standing water cannot always be eliminated, Charleston County Mosquito Control routinely checks these types of areas for mosquito breeding.

"If there are mosquito larvae present, Mosquito Control workers will put a material into the water that kills only the larvae and doesn’t harm any other organism," Odom said.

In addition, small fish that eat mosquito larvae can be put into the water. These fish are native to South Carolina.

If a particular area is large enough, Charleston County Mosquito Control will also use a helicopter and an airplane to apply spray treatments.

“All of these treatments will reduce the number of young aquatic stage mosquitoes, but there will still be some adult mosquitoes flying around," Odom said. For the adult mosquitoes, Mosquito Control uses spray machines on trucks to spray at night. If the mosquito population is high enough and in a large area, an airplane will sometimes be used to spray for these adult mosquitoes.

Working together, Charleston County Mosquito Control and the citizens of Charleston County can reduce the mosquito population so that residents can continue to enjoy outside activities and minimize the occurrence of mosquito-carried disease.

To request service or to get information on Charleston County Mosquito Control activities including educational materials and presentations, call (843) 202-7880.

SIDEBAR

MOSQUITO FACTS:

• A mosquito's life revolves around water; a female mosquito lays her eggs in water or in areas expected to flood.

• Once they hatch, a larvae mosquito must remain in water until it emerges as an adult approximately one to two weeks later.

• Mosquitoes become infected with the West Nile Virus when they feed on infected birds.

• Mosquitoes can transmit heartworm disease from an infected dog or cat to a healthy dog or cat.

WAYS THE PUBLIC CAN HELP REDUCE MOSQUITOES:

• Every three days, flush birdbaths, potted plant saucers and other containers that hold water

• Keep yard clean and cut

• Remove items from yard that hold water and are not needed outside

• Recycle appropriate plastic, glass, tires and other materials

• Keep lawn and gardening equipment indoors

• Fix leaky faucets

• Keep gutters clean

• Fill in tree holes with sand or concrete

• Change outdoor pet water dishes regularly

• Chlorinate pools and clean the pool and filters

• Add fish to ponds

Visit the Charleston County Web site at www.charlestoncounty.org for news, services and up-to-date information relating to Charleston County Government.