In the Greenville, South Carolina, area – it seems just as the pollen season and allergies finally come to an end, mosquito season begins in mid-March. A wet fall season the year prior can make for an unbearable mosquito season, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Mosquitoes breed in floodwater habitats, laying eggs in mud or on the sides of containers, and then simply lie in wait, dormant until it rains again. Then they hatch and begin to search for their first meal – you! Mosquito-borne diseases are always a concern, but when the mosquito population is higher than usual, the risks are higher as well.
Mosquito-borne Diseases
In addition to being annoying when you’re just trying to enjoy some time outdoors, mosquitoes can transmit diseases to humans. One of the most feared and commonly talked about viruses spread through the bites of some mosquitoes is the Zika virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracks data associated with the Zika virus. As of April 2017, a total of 61 cases of Zika virus have been reported in South Carolina and 60 of them are associated with individuals who have traveled outside of the country. One person contracted the virus after having sexual contact with an individual who had it. At most risk, are pregnant women as the virus can cause birth defects.
The most common mosquito-borne viruses in South Carolina include West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, Saint Louis encephalitis, and Dengue fever. In dogs and cats, heartworm can result from mosquito bites.
Mosquito Prevention
Mosquitoes don’t fly very far from their breeding ground. In fact, most will only travel a few hundred feet in search of food, so the best way to prevent large numbers of mosquitoes on your property is to eliminate places where water accumulates and remains for long periods of time.
On some properties, it is not possible to eliminate all sources of standing water such as recent flood areas such as Greenville, South Carolina; so the best way to control the mosquito population is to hire the professionals from Spencer Pest Control. Our mosquito solutions can be applied once to prepare for an outdoor event or we can come throughout the season to make your yard more comfortable with fewer mosquitoes. To learn more about the mosquito control services here at Spencer Pest Control, simply contact us today.
