Hurricane Helene brings new boom in mosquitoes for CSRA

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Like Tropical Storm Debby before it, Hurricane Helene has brought a boom in mosquitoes.

The full day of rain beforehand and heavy rain during the Sept. 27 storm have created the perfect breeding conditions for the disease-carrying bloodsuckers, and they’re making their presence known.

Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson said at a news conference Monday that the city started spraying for them on Monday and will continue to do so.

He urged people to apply insect repellent before going outside.

Standing water is just the kind of place mosquitoes want to lay eggs.

It’s likely to be a problem across the CSRA.

“Mosquitoes can lay eggs in small amounts of water, so it’s very important to get rid of standing water that can accumulate in buckets, flowerpots, grill covers, tires, trashcan lids, toys and yard decorations or debris,” said Dr. Chris Evans, South Carolina state public health entomologist. “Using dirt or cement to fill in low places such as tire ruts or puddles is important to prevent those areas from accumulating storm water. Removing or preventing standing water are some of the most effective ways to reduce mosquito populations at home and in your community, which in turn reduces the risk for disease spread through their bites.”

Mosquitoes aren’t just irritating; they’re a disease-carrying public health risk:

• Perhaps the best known disease they carry is West Nile virus.
• Mosquito-spread dengue fever is already on the rise across the region.
• Mosquitoes carry heartworms, which are endemic in the region, endangering the lives of beloved family pets.

There are at least 61 different species of mosquitoes in the region, but not all of them bite people, Evans said.

All about mosquitoes

Here’s what the experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say about the pests:

Mosquito bite signs

• A puffy and reddish bump appearing a few minutes after the bite
• A hard, itchy, reddish-brown bump, or multiple bumps appearing a day or so after the bite or bites
• Small blisters instead of hard bumps
• Dark spots that look like bruises

Severe reactions can occur

• In children
• In adults bitten by mosquito species they haven’t been exposed to previously
• In people with immune system disorders

More severe reactions

• A large area of swelling and redness
• Low-grade fever
• Hives
• Swollen lymph nodes

Infected bite

• Do not scratch bites. They can become infected.
• An infected bite may appear red, feel warm, or a red streak may spread outward from the bite.
• See a health care provider if symptoms worsen.

Prevention

• Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.
• Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.
• For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
• Fill tree holes to prevent them from filling with water.
• Repair cracks or gaps in your septic tank if you have one. Cover open vent or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
• Use larvicides to treat large bodies of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out.
• When using larvicides, always follow label instructions.
• Drain and turn over kiddie pools.
• Use an outdoor adulticide to kill adult mosquitoes in areas where they rest.
• Mosquitoes rest in dark, humid areas like under patio furniture or under the carport or garage.
• When using adulticides, always follow label instructions.
• Install or repair and use window and door screens.
• Close doors, including garage doors. Do not leave doors propped open.
• Use air conditioning when possible.

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