Mecklenburg County has a comprehensive mosquito control program which includes education, surveillance, complaint investigation, pest identification, regulation enforcement and control and treatment of mosquito populations.
Mosquitoes present both a public health concern and a community nuisance to citizens, particularly with emerging mosquito-transmitted diseases such as
Zika and
West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine, and LaCrosse encephalitis.
The program's control (of mosquitoes) philosophy is a preventive, long term one whereby we attempt to interfere or stop the mosquito's life cycle before they become biting adults capable of transmitting disease and creating community nuisances. Since mosquitoes go through several growth stages in standing water prior to emerging as flying adults, control strategies always focus on identifying, managing, treating and eliminating artificial and natural bodies of standing water capable of supporting mosquito populations.
Breeding & Sources
Water is the necessary ingredient for mosquitoes to breed. They lay their eggs in water and then those eggs develop into larvae. Larvae is the stage in which most of the development of the mosquito occurs. The larvae feed on organic matter in the water, grow and develop into pupae. The pupal stage is the last step before they hatch out into flying adults.
The
breeding cycle from egg to adult only takes about a week and can be done in as little as a teaspoon of water. Once a mosquito hatches it usually limits its flying range to about 300 yards. Most people that experience a mosquito problem are usually very close to the breeding source.
Disease
Mosquitoes are carriers (vectors) for many diseases. West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, and LaCrosse encephalitis are some diseases that are recognized by the general public.
Control and Treatment
The best control for mosquito populations is the removal of standing water sources which support their existence. When sources cannot be permanently eliminated, then various physical, chemical, or biological control measures can be put in place. One such method is the use of larviciding pesticides which control the breeding of mosquitoes while they are in their larval or pupal stages.
Our program utilizes a variety of larviciding materials such as BTI and larviciding oils. These approved-use products can be applied to either standing water areas or areas which are subject to periodic flooding.
Most adult mosquitoes live about 2-3 weeks. Once the breeding source has been eliminated, it is only a matter of time before the adult mosquitoes die relieving the problem.
Resources Available
How to Contact Us
General Information or Complaints: 980-314-1620
County services are operating at a limited capacity. Questions about COVID-19? Call Public Health Hotline: 980-314-9400