Mosquito surveillance is based on a transect trap line that runs from Calabash to Belville. View the current  weekly mosquito activity in your area and select Calabash, Bolivia or Belville. Because mosquito populations are dictated by weather conditions, we also maintain a weather database. We monitor the four National Weather Stations that surround the county. Data is collected daily and translated to weekly, monthly and annual formats. The weather data is reconciled using a weekly format to be overlaid onto our mosquito data. We are in the process of developing a long-term historical database of the mosquito species in Brunswick County.

Our goal is to provide our data set to the municipal mosquito programs in the county. Brunswick County currently has 13 mosquito programs, the county program and 12 municipal programs. View contact information for a municipal mosquito control program in your area:

Our program staff visits schools, community groups, and property owners’ association meetings to provide educational materials to groups interested in learning about mosquitoes and mosquito control in Brunswick County. We also have a brochure to educate citizens about the Asian Tiger Mosquito. To contact our community outreach staff, call 910-253-2507 or email us at mosquitocontrol@brunswickcountync.gov.

The mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis, is native minnow to North Carolina and prefers to eat mosquito larva. It is a top feeding minnow and are relatively small in comparison to many other fresh water fish, with females reaching an overall length of 2.8 inches and males a length of 1.6 inches. The female can be distinguished from the male by her larger size and a gravid spot at the posterior of her abdomen.

The name “mosquito fish” was given because the diet of this fish sometimes consists of large numbers of mosquito larvae, relative to body size. The mosquito fish are typically found in ditches that do not dry up and permanent bodies of water like storm retention ponds.

Our field staff are trained to identify, locate, capture and distribute the mosquito fish Gambusia affinis. This biological control strategy provides good opportunity for long term control of mosquitoes in areas where water is found all year around.

Mosquito Breeding Management

Occasionally, the program identifies maintenance projects that may reduce mosquito populations at the source.  When a larval site has been identified and there is enough mosquito data collected (typically 3-5 years of data) to support attempting permit applications, the program applies for maintenance permits through state and federal agencies.  This work is regulated by the Clean Water Act of 1972.

Larval control involves locating and treating breeding areas with larvicides to manage mosquito populations before they can mature into adults. The four products currently used by the county are:

Natular – a granule formulation with the active ingredient spinosad. It has been classified as a reduced risk larvicide by U.S. E.P.A. It is applied in granule formulation by spreading over mosquito habitats by ‘hand’ or using a back pack spreader.

BVA 2 – This product is an oil that is applied by hand-spray units. This biodegradable film suffocates mosquito larvae and pupae.

Natular T30 – The active ingredient in Natular is Spinosad, a naturally occurring organism in the soil. Natular T30 releases effective levels of Spinosad for up to 30 days

Natular 2EC – a product used for killing mosquito larvae. It is an emulsifiable concentrate that is applied using hand spray units. Its active ingredient is also Spinosad.

Mosquito Treatment Centers

There are currently 35 treatment zones in Brunswick County. Brunswick County implements adulticiding activities when mosquito thresholds have been met. The landing count threshold for Brunswick County is 7 mosquitoes per minute using standard landing count procedures. The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, will be counted separately from other biting mosquitoes during landing counts. Additionally, adulticiding operations once initiated will continue for the duration of the environmental event that triggered the emergence of the mosquito population.  Adult mosquito populations typically survive for 3 to 4 weeks, depending on time of year.

As the adult nuisance populations wane, the risk of disease transmission increases. While mosquito populations may fall below the nuisance threshold, it is important to continue adulticide operations until the increased risk of disease transmission is reduced to acceptable levels.

Biomist 3+15 is the current product used to manage adult mosquito populations by the county. Typical spray times are between 5:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. depending on weather conditions. Our mosquito sprayers are equipped with Smart Flow Technology, providing the driver with increased treatment flexibility, while improving the accuracy of each application. As a precautionary measure, people and pets should go indoors when they see the mosquito sprayer coming. People with severe allergies should notify Operation Services.