SAFETY ALERT: Helene debris spawns boom of disease-carrying mosquitoes

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - With the summer already underway, the rain and warmer temperatures can make the perfect combination for mosquito populations to skyrocket.

And this year, we could be seeing more than usual.

Local experts say damage from Hurricane Helene can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Mosquito Joe Field Operations Manager Mark Ginerowski says there is more opportunity for hidden and stagnant water than ever before due to the uprooted trees all over the area.

Mosquitoes look for any stagnant water to lay their eggs, and in seven to 10 days, they’re flying.

They live the first part of their life in murky puddles, abandoned pools or clogged rain gutters.

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“Probably the biggest thing is keeping your gutters clean. Keeping your yard cut down is pretty good. Do not leave standing water out there. Anything that can collect any kind of water, whether it be as small as a little cap from a cola bottle, or a whole rain barrel that’s not covered. All of those pools of water will represent a breeding ground,” said Gincerowski.

Gincerowski says mosquitoes can lay up to 300 eggs in as little as a bottle cap of water. He recommends changing out the water in bird baths every couple of days.

Earlier this week, the South Carolina Department of Public Health offered advice to help you avoid a pesky warm-weather nuisance.

Experts say there are at least 61 different mosquito species in South Carolina. Not all of them bite people, but some species that do can pose a serious health risk to people and animals.

The most common diseases mosquitoes can carry include the West Nile virus, Eastern Equine encephalitis, La Crosse encephalitis, Saint Louis encephalitis virus.

They can also carry heartworms that can kill dogs and cats.

“Learning how to avoid mosquito bites is important to reducing our chances of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases, as is conducting mosquito prevention and control efforts year-round, especially during spring, summer and fall,” SCDPH Entomologist Dr. Chris Evans said.

The agency offers these tips to keep your home and yard mosquito-free:

• TIP over anything that can hold water, such as toys, plant saucers or vases. To disrupt mosquito breeding cycles, change water often, even daily, in items like dog bowls and bird baths.
• TOSS or recycle any unwanted yard items that may collect water, such as old tires, junk, or trash.
• TURN over items that can hold water like children’s pools, wheelbarrows, or buckets.
• TIGHTEN tarps over items like boats, wood piles, grills, and pools.
• TAKE CARE of your property. Clean out debris from ditches, drains, and gutters. Keep grass cut low and trim or remove overgrown plants.
• TREAT items that can’t be drained or emptied with appropriate mosquito control products.
• TEAM UP and talk with neighbors about reducing mosquitoes in and around your home and neighborhood.

Click here for more information on steps to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.

Its mosquito surveillance program includes trapping and testing mosquitoes across the state and monitoring arbovirus activity in birds. Arboviruses include West Nile, which can be spread to humans by mosquitoes.

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