MONCKS CORNER, SC – Berkeley County Supervisor Bill Peagler announced Thursday that Berkeley County Mosquito Abatement (BCMA) is increasing its efforts to prevent the Zika virus from entering Berkeley County.
In addition to increased equipment to treat small, localized areas where container breeding mosquitoes are present – BCMA is offering to inspect county residents’ premises for the mosquito species associated with Zika virus transmission and have its knowledgeable technicians point out any problem spots and offer helpful tips to most effectively keep premises free of mosquitos. BCMA will be sharing specific tips to prevent mosquito growth and mosquito bites through Berkeley County’s social media.
BCMA encourages residents to:
- Inspect their premises and empty, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water
- Change the water in birdbaths, flowerpots, and containers holding plant cuttings once a week
- Properly dispose of used tires
- Tightly cover water storage containers with a lid or fine wire mesh
- Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts (if weather permits)
- Wear light colored clothing (mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors)
- Avoid wearing scented products
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent (if you are outdoors when mosquitoes are active). Repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR335 are all effective.
“Having our Mosquito Abatement Department increase its educational efforts and increase its individualized site visits will not only reduce the likelihood of the Zika virus from coming to Berkeley County but also reduce the risks associated with mosquitoes, in general, while improving the quality of life for all of our citizens,” said Peagler. “It is also extremely important that residents let our Mosquito Abatement Department know the problem areas, so they can be addressed in an expedited manner.”
Residents who would like their premises inspected and who would like to inform BCMA of problem areas are encouraged to call 843-719-4646.
Of the 60 different mosquito species present in Berkeley County, only two are capable of transmitting the virus: Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. The primary species, Ae. Aegypti, is rarely seen in Berkeley County; whereas, depending on habitat availability, Ae. albopictus can be prevalent. Both species are known as container breeders, meaning they prefer to lay their eggs in water-holding containers, like used tires, buckets, pet bowls, flower pots, uncovered boats, rainwater barrels and birdbaths. Because the adults of these species prefer to bite during the day, it makes it difficult to control them with traditional spray applications alone. Both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus have a very short flight ranges – only about a block.
“Because these species have such a short flight range – if Berkeley County residents follow the advice of our Mosquito Abatement Department, they will greatly reduce the risk of exposure,” said Peagler.
Berkeley County Councilman and Public Safety Chairman Ken Gunn added, “While there have not been any cases of Zika virus in South Carolina yet, it is a very real possibility that someone traveling from an area where the virus has spread will introduce Zika into our State and County. We encourage travelers returning to the United States from Zika-infected areas to do all they can to avoid mosquito bites for 3 weeks so they do not spread Zika to local mosquitoes that could then spread the virus to our residents.”
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