Mosquitos can be both annoying and a health hazard. Combatting the mosquito problem is best done through the county's efforts and your own.

Things you always wanted to know about mosquitos, but were afraid to ask.

• In North Carolina, 56 species of mosquitos have been confirmed to be in existence. Brunswick County has (confirmed) 44 of those species.
• Winter mosquito species generally do not bite humans. But, look out in the summer!
• Only the female mosquito bites. She needs the protein in blood to produce eggs. The Asian tiger mosquito prefers to bite below the waist.
• Mosquitos lay from 100 - 300 eggs at one time.
  Most mosquitos lay all of their eggs at one time, in the same place. The Asian tiger mosquito, however, lays 3 or 4 eggs in many different locations, but only in tree holes or artificial containers that hold rainwater for at least 1 week.
• On average, it takes about 8 days ("aquatic cycle") for a mosquito egg to become an adult mosquito. The normal hatching cycle of the Asian tiger mosquito is about 5-7 days, depending on water temperature.
• Mosquito eggs can remain domant for a long time without contact to water. However, if water reaches the eggs, it will trigger a reaction and the eggs then will hatch to become larvae. For example: Mosquitos lay their eggs at the edge of bodies of water above the water line. If the water level does not rise, the eggs will not hatch. However, when storms (especially hurricanes) come through bringing large amounts of rain, the water levels rise, thereby causing the mosquito eggs to hatch.
• Mosquitos are less likely to be a problem near permanent bodies of water -- such as rivers and lakes, as fish and other predators exist there to threaten them. They prefer water that stands for 10-20 days and then dries up -- just long enough to provide for a hatching cycle or two.
• Mosquitos bite animals, and can lead to heart worms in cats and dogs.
• Mosquitos build a resistance to pesticides. (So, pest control chemical types must be rotated.)

You can learn even more about mosquitos at the American Mosquito Control Association website.

Operation Services' mosquito expert maintains a year-round surveillance at 50 different sites throughout the county. Every type of breeding habitat is continuously monitored for species type, time of emergence, and size of population. This information is recorded in a database, which contains extensive information about each species and when to expect each particular species. Surveillance helps Operation Services determine the most effective method of controlling the mosquito population. The methods used are as follows:

• Adulticiding: Chemicals are sprayed into the air (either by truck with sprayer, or by airplane) to kill adult mosquitos. A few notes about spraying:
  
  • Land spraying generally occurs every 2 weeks, or every 4-5 days during particularly bad periods.
  • Aerial spraying is done only in emergency situations.
  • Areas are sprayed (approx.) between 6:00 - 12:00 PM, or 4:00 AM - 7:00 AM (especially the beach areas when fewer people are walking along the beaches).
  • Truck spraying affects approximately a 300-foot area.
  • As a cautionary measure, people and pets should remain inside, with doors and windows closed, during spraying. People with severe allergies should notify Operation Services.
• Larvaciding: Treating breeding areas with chemicals to disrupt the life cycle so mosquito larvae never mature into adults. Three methods used:
  
  • A non-toxic insect growth regulating hormone (Altosid®), in granuale form, is spread over land -- either by 'hand' or using a seeder.
  • Briquets, or "donuts" (a bacteria product), are placed in ponds or other bodies of water where pesticides cannot be used. [NOTE: Brunswick County residents can obtain these from Operation Services, while supplies last. See instructions for use.]
  • A monomolecular surface film, which is alcohol based, is applied by hand spray units. This biodegradeable film suffocates mosquito larvae and pupae.
  • Aerial spraying is performed over 'spoil islands', such as Eagle's Island.
• Biological Control: Minnows are placed in bodies of water to consume mosquito larvae.
• Physical Control: Drainage ditches are created for areas with standing water, thereby reducing the area suitable for mosquito breeding. To be implemented, the project must benefit 5 or more families.

You might say that mosquito control begins at home. It takes about 1 week for a mosquito to grow from egg to adult. (In summer, only about 5 days of this time is spent in water; the other 2 days are spent mating and moving.) Mosquitos need water to breed and grow, and it doesn't take much water or much time for the process. Here are a few things that you can do to help control the mosquito population.

• Dispose of old bottles and cans that can collect water.
• Turn unused buckets, tubs, garbage cans, etc., upside down.
• Empty water from flower pot dishes.
• Clean leaf-clogged gutters.
• Repair leaky faucets.
• Dispose of old tires.
• Fill tree holes.
• Change water in birdbaths at least twice weekly.
  (This is healthier for the birds, too!)
• Screen or cover rain barrels.
• Clean overgrown ponds and stock with fish.