How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in South Carolina

You’re out on a bright sunny day, trying to enjoy the Palmetto State’s natural beauty…until you feel a familiar itchy feeling in your skin. Another pesky mosquito has appeared to ruin the party. But we’ve got your back: In this article, we have everything you need to know about how to get rid of mosquitoes in South Carolina.

Controlling Mosquitoes in South Carolina

A successful mosquito control approach starts with prevention. And how do we do that? By eliminating standing water sources, where they breed. Usually, our yards are full of opportunities for female mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Since mosquitoes need no more than 5 days in standing water to turn into biting adults, that quickly turns into a mosquito problem.

To effectively eliminate any possible mosquito breeding sites in your yard, follow the Seven T’s of mosquito prevention: Tip, Toss, Turn, Tighten, Take care, Treat, and Team up. 

• Tip over any object that can hold water (toys, plant saucers, flower pots, pet dishes, or birdbaths) 
• Toss unwanted items, such as old tires, old cans, bottles, or trash. You can also recycle them by disposing of these items at your local recycling center.
• Turn over items that can become containers for water, such as wheelbarrows (and other tools), kiddie pools, or buckets.
• Tighten the covers of pools, boats, and wood piles so water won’t accumulate in the folds.
• Take care of your property and keep it clean. Remove debris from gutters, ditches, and drains, so the water runs down freely. Regularly trim the grass and overgrown shrubs and trees, as dense vegetation can become a mosquito’s hiding place.
• Treat ornamental ponds or out-of-use swimming pools (or any item that can’t be drained) with larvicides or stock them with larvae-eating fish, such as mosquitofish.
• Team up with your neighbors and make a collective effort to reduce the mosquito population in your area.

Pro tip: Fill natural containers with sand, including tree and stump holes, bamboo stumps, magnolia leaves, bromeliads, and pitcher plants. And did you know that you can also fill tree holes with mosquito dunks? They are effective in killing mosquito larvae, while also being safe for birds.

Other Ways to Keep the Skeeters Away

Prevention is indeed the most important aspect of getting rid of mosquitoes, but it doesn’t solve all problems. How do you get rid of the adult mosquitoes that are bugging you? Here are some measures homeowners can combine with the seven T’s to achieve a mosquito-free home:

• Repel mosquitoes: You can use mosquito coils, citronella candles, or incense sticks in outdoor areas to repel mosquitoes. 
• Install mosquito screens: Install screens in your doors and windows to keep mosquitoes from entering your home. You can also use air-conditioning or turn on a fan (whether indoors or outdoors) to ward mosquitoes off.
• Avoid attractive lightning: Use yellow light bulbs and sodium-vapor orange lights during nighttime, as mosquitoes are less attracted to red and yellow lights.
• Use mosquito foggers or sprays: The best mosquito sprays and foggers work because of their active ingredients — usually, a chemical that will kill mosquitoes for a period of time, from 4 to 12 weeks. But if the mosquito breeding sources are not addressed, they will continue to come back.
• Mosquito traps: Mosquito traps are an easy and practical option for homeowners. But keep in mind that the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control does not recommend the use of bug zappers, as they attract and kill beneficial insects. What you can use instead are the effective yet simple DIY mosquito traps. 

An important note: If you have taken all possible steps to control mosquitoes near your residence but still have a mosquito infestation, there might be mosquito breeding areas outside your property. Reach out to your local mosquito control program for assistance.

Prevent Mosquito Bites

Since we can only go so far in controlling our environment, we also need methods to protect ourselves from mosquito bites. Follow these tips to prevent those itchy bumps or, even worse, mosquito-borne diseases:

• Apply mosquito repellents: Pick a mosquito repellent containing EPA-registered active ingredients, such as DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), catnip oil, IR3535, oil of citronella, 2-undecanone, or picaridin. 
• Avoid peak hours: Limit outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active — at dawn, at dusk and nighttime, or during the day in shady areas.
• Stay away from floral scents: Avoid floral-scented lotions and perfumes, as floral scents are attractive to mosquitoes. 
• Protect yourself with clothing: Opt for long-sleeved shirts and long pants, or treat your clothes with permethrin. If you’re not in a DIY frame of mind, pre-treated insect-repellent clothing is a convenient and effective option. No matter which you choose, opt for light-colored clothing, as mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors.

Pro tip: You can also protect your dog from mosquito bites (and the risk of contracting heartworm disease) by using the best dog mosquito repellents.

FAQ

Having Trouble With Mosquitoes?

Worry no more! Pest Gnome is here to connect you to the best pest control professionals in South Carolina. Get in touch today and get rid of mosquitoes in your home! 

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Teresa Joaquim

Teresa is a creative writer who holds a Master's degree in Psychology. Despite being a nature lover, she is terrified of cockroaches. As a native of the tropics, she is used to dealing with mosquitoes, although they still manage to bother her. Her favorite things are art, music, and playing with her two cats.

Posts by Teresa Joaquim