About Mosquitoes | Fight The Bite | Mosquito Control Request Form

The Mosquito Control Program’s 19 employees provide mosquito control services in Charleston County’s 1,353 square miles using several diverse methods:

1. Surveillance—The helicopter inspection team, six field inspectors and source reduction supervisor monitor rainfall, tides and mosquito populations on a daily basis throughout the County. Citizens, via telephone, also inform the division of unusually high mosquito population levels. In 2011, the Division received and responded to 2,060 citizen service requests.

2. Aquatic Stage Mosquitoes (Larvae)—Utilize a ground crew, a helicopter and an airplane to eliminate aquatic stage mosquitoes in areas of standing water, such as yards and drainage ditches. The ground crew also introduces small predatory fish into semi-permanent standing water areas. Over 25,000 acres were treated in 2011.

3. Adult Mosquitoes—Use truck-mounted spray units, a helicopter and an airplane to kill adult mosquitoes. In 2011, a total of 658,555 acres were treated.

4. Public Education—Ongoing public education is vital in the war against mosquitoes. The Citizens' Awareness Program (CAP) is designed to provide as many residents as possible with educational materials and information regarding mosquitoes.  Mosquito Control personnel inspect yards for mosquito breeding; answer questions; and regularly participate in various school career days, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, and Earth Day.  Frequent requests are also received from Homeowners' Associations and other public interest groups.

• 50+ species of mosquitoes live in Charleston County
• 30 of these species bite people and pets
• The two salt marsh species occur in the greatest numbers
• Breeding potential -
  - Dredged material disposal sites can produce up to 80 million mosquitoes per acre per rainfall
  - Natural sites can produce up to 8 million mosquitoes per acre per rainfall or tide event