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1. What can I do to protect myself from biting mosquitoes?

When outside, wear mosquito-proof clothing, avoid wearing perfume or scented products and use an insect repellent. Mosquitoes are also more attracted to dark-colored clothing.

2. What can I do to reduce the mosquito population in the areas around my home?

Since mosquitoes need water to drink and to lay their eggs, water-holding containers may be breeding areas for mosquitoes such as:

• Leaf-clogged rain gutters and planters
• Tin cans
• Tires
• Tree holes
• Uncovered boats

To control mosquito problems around the house, empty the water from these places. For more information on protecting yourself and your property see the Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Areas (SCDHEC).

3. What actions should I take if I see a dead bird?

At this time, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) only tests crows and blue jays. If you see any dead crows or blue jays, please contact the Mosquito Control ’Hotline’ 843-545-3615 immediately. Staff will collect and submit the bird to the local SCDHEC lab for further testing.

4. How can I request the spraying of an area for mosquitoes?

Call the Mosquito Control ’Hotline’ at 843-545-3615. Please be sure to leave your name, address and telephone number when calling.

5. How does the county determine the areas to spray?

Georgetown County Mosquito Control uses data from multiple sources for making spraying decisions. Mosquito Control has light traps placed throughout the County to collect Mosquitoes. The information obtained from checking these traps, amount of rainfall, number of calls, known problem areas and physical inspections by Mosquito Control personnel all contribute to help determine the areas to be sprayed.

6. Does Georgetown County use airplanes to spray for mosquitoes?

Only in extreme cases, typically after an event such as a hurricane or an unusually large rainfall amount. In these situations, if the spray trucks are unable to reduce the high number of mosquitoes, the county uses aircraft to cover more area during spraying.

7. What chemicals do you spray? Are they harmful to me or my pets?

The Georgetown County Mosquito Control Division primarily uses two chemicals for Mosquito Control: Permethrin and Naled. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in the application methods used by our staff, neither product is harmful to humans, pets and birds.

Permethrin is currently used in the county’s Spray Trucks in an Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) application -- in other words, an aerosol which contains very tiny droplets. Studies conducted by various universities and the EPA have shown that large beneficial insects, such as butterflies, are less likely to be harmed by a single ULV application because of their size. The county’s spray trucks typically spray an area once every two to three weeks and, since the Permethrin dissipates within a day, there are no lingering effects.

Naled is used in aerial spraying and, once again, is not harmful to humans, pets, birds and large beneficial insects from a single application, due to the tiny droplet size. It also dissipates within a day, reducing any lingering effects.

These products are highly regulated by the EPA and only used in small concentrations. (For example: only 3/4 of an ounce of Naled is used to spray one acre).

The Mosquito Control staff is highly sensitive to the effects of these chemicals on the environment. Most of the spraying is conducted in the early morning and evening when mosquitoes are active but other insects are not. The staff is dedicated to protecting the environment and are constantly looking for alternative methods of controlling mosquitoes without harming humans, pets, birds and beneficial insects.