Chemical and Application Information
Mosquito Control is regulated by Federal, State and local laws. These laws determine exactly when and how Horry County controls its mosquito population. Horry County Mosquito Control is under the auspices of the Storm Water Department. The program is funded by the stormwater management utility fee.
Mosquito Control strives to investigate all citizen inquiries within 24 hours. This service begins with a site inspection of the citizen's yard, of nearby wooded areas, drainage ditches, swamps, retention ponds and any known local breeding sites.
Horry County Mosquito Control uses an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) philosophy when controlling the mosquito population. IMM combines a variety of mechanical (eliminating the water in which the mosquitoes need to breed) and chemical control techniques (using adulticides to control adult mosquito populations and larvacides to control larvae before they hatch) to provide a more effective approach for the control of mosquitoes.
Manual Treatment
The development of the solid formulations or briquettes have provided opportunities for long term mosquito larval control in their breeding aquatic habitats. These larvacide treatments typically range from 30-180 days of mosquito development and emergence prevention at potential breeding sites. They are used in ponds and catch basins most effectively. The Division also operates four ultra-low volume (ULV) fogging machines, which allow the treatment of populated areas without undue hazard to local residents and the environment. These ground units are used for control in parks, summer camps, and other outdoor areas where people congregate.
Truck Mounted Treatment
Mosquito control agencies use truck-mounted fogging units to apply insecticides as an ultra-low-volume (ULV) spray. ULV spray units dispense very fine aerosol droplets (fog) that stay aloft and kill mosquitoes on contact. The amount of insecticide sprayed by ULV units is small compared to the area treated, usually about 3 to 5 ounces per acre, which minimizes exposure and risks to people and the environment. Some communities have thermal foggers that use an oil carrier that is heated to disperse the pesticide in a dense smoke-like fog. The best time to kill adult mosquitoes by fogging is at dusk, when they are most active and looking for food (mosquitoes feed on human or animal blood). The aerosol fog primarily targets flying mosquitoes, which is why the timing of the spray is critical.
Aerial Treatment
The County contracts with a licensed aerial spraying contractor, who can treat large inaccessible areas quickly and effectively, thereby reducing the economic and health threat posed by mosquito infestations. Click for aerial spray grid.