COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tropical Storm Debby dumped a lot of rain across the state of South Carolina when it moved through last week, causing flooding and areas of standing water. The state's Department of Public Health (DPH) reminds residents to remove standing water to help control mosquito populations in their communities.
Did you know, according to DPH, there are at least 61 different species of mosquitoes in South Carolina? Thankfully, not every species bites people nor do all mosquitoes carry diseases. However, there are enough mosquitoes that do transmit diseases such as West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis virus, La Crosse encephalitis virus, Saint Louis encephalitis virus and dog/cat heartworm to pose serious health risks to people and animals.
Mosquitos can develop in any amount of water that stands for more than five days. That means you should look out for water collecting in buckets, flowerpots, tires, tarps, trashcan lids, puddles in the yard, anywhere water can accumulate. Start by dumping out the water and then filling in spaces in the yard or garden with cement or dirt.
“With the potential increase in mosquitoes following Tropical Storm Debby, it’s important that South Carolinians take additional steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites,” said Dr. Chris Evans, State Public Health Entomologist with DPH.
So while you are outdoors taking care of standing water, the American Mosquito Control Association suggests you protect yourself from bites by wearing long sleeves, long pants and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and apply an insect repellant such as catnip oil, oil of citronella, DEET, IR 3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, picaridin, p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), 2-undecanone or wear permethrin-treated clothing.
You can also contact your local city or county mosquito control program to ask to come spray in your area.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs through November 30 so it is important to watch out for and remove any instances of standing water near your home following any storm.