Control Programs

Weekly Data (By Location)

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Control Programs

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Service Request

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Mosquito Species with Monthly and Yearly Distribution

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Mosquito Control Programs

Mosquito experts conduct a year-round surveillance and monitoring program throughout the county. Every type of breeding habitat is continuously monitored for species type, time of emergence, and population size. This information is recorded in our database, which contains extensive information about each species. Brunswick County has 47 different mosquito species. Learn more about the mosquito species in Brunswick County.

Monitoring and surveillance helps Operation Services determine the most effective method of managing a mosquito population.  The control strategies we employ include Surveillance Programs, Public Education, Biological Control, Physical Control, Larval Control, and Adult Control.

Control Programs

Click on a tab below to learn more.

Surveillance Program

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:

Mosquito Program
Municipality
Town Hall
YesBald Head Island910-457-9700
NoBelville910-371-2456
YesBoiling Spring Lakes910-845-2614
NoBolivia910-253-5303
NoCalabash910-579-6747
NoCarolina Shores910-575-4877
YesCaswell Beach910-278-5471
YesHolden Beach910-842-6488
YesLeland910-371-0148
YesNavassa910-371-2432
YesNorthwest910-655-3110
YesOak Island910-278-5011
YesOcean Isle Beach910-579-2166
YesSandy Creek910-655-3153
NoShallotte910-754-4032
YesSouthport910-457-7900
NoSt. James910-253-4730
YesSunny Point910-457-8429
YesSunset Beach910-579-6297
NoVarnumtown910-842-3095

Public Education

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.

Biological Control

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 sizeThe 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 affinisThis biological control strategy provides good opportunity for long term control of mosquitoes in areas where water is found all year around.

Physical Control

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

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.

Adult Control

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.

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Contact

179 MARCH 9, 1764 DRIVE
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(910) 253-2515
mosquitocontrol@brunswickcountync.gov
open mon-fri:
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

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