Overview of the Charleston County Mosquito Control Program

The Program's 30 employees provide mosquito control services in Charleston County's 1,353 square miles using several diverse methods:

1. Surveillance - Our helicopter inspection team, 7 field inspectors, and the Source Reduction crew 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 2023, the division received and responded to 1,651 citizen requests for service.
2. Aquatic Stage Mosquitoes (Larvae) - We utilize a ground crew, to eliminate aquatic stage mosquitoes in areas of standing water, such as yards and drainage ditches. Aircraft are used for dredge disposal sites, and areas ground crews cannot reach. The ground crew also introduces small predatory fish into semi-permanent standing water areas. 23,866 acres were treated in 2023.
3. Adult Mosquitoes - We use truck-mounted spray units, a helicopter, and an airplane to kill adult mosquitoes. In 2023, a total of 755,353 acres were treated, 720, 411 of which were by truck.
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 science events, and Earth Day. Frequent requests are also received from Homeowners' Associations and other public interest groups.

Quick Mosquito Facts

• 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

Types of Treatment

The Charleston County Mosquito Control Program utilizes several methods to treat mosquitoes in our area in an effort to protect public health.

• Aerial Aquatic Stage (Larvae) Treatment: Conducted throughout many area areas of the county with standing water from rain or tidal events. This treatment is not conducted over homes, but over large areas of standing water as well as dredge disposal sites. This process is designed to impact mosquitoes before they hatch and uses an organic material Vectobac 12AS also known as BTI and a biorational product Altosid Concentrate that does not have any residual effects.
• Aerial Adult Stage Treatment: Conducted in areas of the county where mosquito numbers are the highest based on surveillance and citizens requests. This process is done around dawn or near dusk to avoid impacting the bee population and citizens. We use a product known as Trumpet, which has Naled as the active ingredient. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has background information on Naled: https://www.epa.gov/mosquitocontrol/naled-mosquito-control Charleston County Mosquito Control sends out weekly aerial aquatic stage mosquito inspection and treatment notices to inform the general public and concerned agencies that mosquito control aircraft may be flying over populated areas at a lower altitude.
• Ground Spray: Charleston County has 9 ground spray trucks, for the purpose of adult mosquito treatment and 6 inspectors and 2 ground crews for larvae treatment. The adult treatment is conducted from 11pm to 7am to avoid impacts with bees and citizens. Additionally, our spray truck drivers have addresses to avoid local bee keepers, citizens with chemical sensitivities and allergies. If you have questions or concerns, please call Mosquito Control at 843-202-7880
• Local Bee Keepers: Charleston maintains a call book of bee keepers who have notified Charleston County. We provide notice 24 hours before an Aerial Adult Stage Treatment and day of treatment for spray trucks.
• Chemical Sensitive and Allergies: Charleston maintains a call book of these individuals who have notified Charleston County. We provide notice 24 hours before an Aerial Adult Stage Treatment and day of notification for treatment by spray trucks.

Mosquito Control Videos

Mosquito Comic

Mosquito Control

Citizen Service Spotlight with Ed Harne on Mosquito Control

Charleston County Mosquito Control Awareness

Contact

Mosquito Control

Phone: (843)202-7880

For service requests or to be added to the notification list (allergies, bees, etc..) please click link below

Municipalities

City of Charleston
City of Folly Beach
City of North Charleston
City of Isle of Palms
Town of Awendaw
Town of Hollywood
Town of James Island
Town of Kiawah Island
Town of Lincolnville
Town of McClellanville
Town of Meggett
Town of Mount Pleasant
Town of Ravenel
Town of Rockville
Town of Seabrook Island
Town of Sullivan's Island

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