Flooding brings boom in mosquitoes for Bamberg County
BAMBERG, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Bamberg County officials say there has been an increase in mosquitoes because of flooding from Tropical Storm Debby.
County crews are spraying and treating water to reduce the population.
It’s a problem all across the region.
Up until Debby, weather had been pretty dry across the region. Then Debby dumped more rain than many people can , bringing standing water in places like Screven and Bamberg counties.
That standing water is just the kind of place mosquitoes want to lay eggs.
“Mosquitoes can lay eggs in small amounts of water, so it’s very important to get rid of standing water that can accumulate in buckets, flowerpots, grill covers, tires, trashcan lids, toys and yard decorations or debris,” said Dr. Chris Evans, South Carolina state public health entomologist. “Using dirt or cement to fill in low places such as tire ruts or puddles is important to prevent those areas from accumulating storm water. Removing or preventing standing water are some of the most effective ways to reduce mosquito populations at home and in your community, which in turn reduces the risk for disease spread through their bites.”
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Mosquitoes aren’t just irritating; they’re a disease-carrying public health risk:
- In Chatham County, at least 130 of the insects found in the county have tested positive for West Nile virus.
- Mosquito-spread dengue fever was already on the rise across the region.
- Mosquitoes carry heartworms, which are endemic in the region, endangering the lives of beloved family pets.
There are at least 61 different species of mosquitoes in South Carolina, but fortunately not all of them bite people, Evans said.
“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,” Evans said.
In South Carolina, McClellanville resident Richard Hunter, says after the area got 13 inches of rain in a 48-hour span, that’s when the mosquitoes began to hatch.
Has recent rain helped S.C. farmers struggling from drought?
While the rain from Tropical Storm Debby helped some crops in South Carolina, it hurt others, according to farmers in the Palmetto State.
“I have stuff that I can put out here in the yard, but the bugs are so bad at this point in time, right now, that I can’t stay out here long enough to get it done,” he said.
Living in the area for 25 years, Hunter says this is the worst he has ever seen the mosquitoes.
“My little Boston terrier looked like he had a second coat on; he’s still covered in mosquitoes,” Hunter says. “I just can’t, I can’t let the dog out.”
One of the biggest things anyone dealing with flooding should do is make sure to cover up and use mosquito repellent, experts say.
Once this water finally recedes, it’s advised to tip and toss any remaining standing water in buckets or any outdoor containers.
All about mosquitoes
Here’s what the experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say about the pests:
Mosquito bite signs
- A puffy and reddish bump appearing a few minutes after the bite
- A hard, itchy, reddish-brown bump, or multiple bumps appearing a day or so after the bite or bites
- Small blisters instead of hard bumps
- Dark spots that look like bruises
Severe reactions can occur
- In children
- In adults bitten by mosquito species they haven’t been exposed to previously
- In people with immune system disorders
More severe reactions
- A large area of swelling and redness
- Low-grade fever
- Hives
- Swollen lymph nodes
Infected bite
- Do not scratch bites. They can become infected.
- An infected bite may appear red, feel warm, or a red streak may spread outward from the bite.
- See a health care provider if symptoms worsen.
Prevention
- Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.
- Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.
- For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
- Fill tree holes to prevent them from filling with water.
- Repair cracks or gaps in your septic tank if you have one. Cover open vent or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
- Use larvicides to treat large bodies of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out.
- When using larvicides, always follow label instructions.
- Drain and turn over kiddie pools.
- Use an outdoor adulticide to kill adult mosquitoes in areas where they rest.
- Mosquitoes rest in dark, humid areas like under patio furniture or under the carport or garage.
- When using adulticides, always follow label instructions.
- Install or repair and use window and door screens.
- Close doors, including garage doors. Do not leave doors propped open.
- Use air conditioning when possible.
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