Charleston County officials are scheduled to conduct aerial pesticide spraying for adult mosquitoes early Sunday, August 30, following confirmed human cases of West Nile virus within the county. The operation is planned from 6:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. over parts of Charleston and West Ashley. A backup date for spraying is set for the following Sunday during the same hours.
The county also intends to increase its truck-based spraying efforts around catch basins and other areas where elevated mosquito populations have been detected. The aerial treatment utilizes a federally-approved product called Trumpet EC, which contains Naled as its active ingredient. Officials noted that Naled is toxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates, wildlife, and bees, and the early morning schedule aims to minimize impact on bees and people.
Brian Hayes, Charleston County’s mosquito control manager, stated that while West Nile virus is naturally present in the region, the number and location of detections can vary annually. He emphasized that the county’s mosquito surveillance program helps identify disease presence and allows for quick, targeted responses. Hayes also urged residents to take precautions against mosquito bites, such as draining standing water, avoiding outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, wearing long sleeves and pants when outside, using insect repellent, and keeping doors and windows closed.
Additional information on mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses is available from the South Carolina Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
