Emergency West Nile Virus Response and Outbreak Mitigation

West Nile virus is spread by infected mosquitos and is a very real issue in South Carolina. At Gregory Pest Solutions we continue to help control West Nile mosquitos for all counties in South Carolina, under the state term contract.

Read below to discover how we provided an emergency response to protect South Carolina citizens from potentially deadly West Nile mosquito bites in 2017.

Plus, if you’re wondering ‘Is West Nile virus contagious?’ or you’re asking ‘Is West Nile deadly?’, then this article provides information on how West Nile Virus is spread, what the symptoms are, and how to protect yourself.

The 2017 Emergency Response in South Carolina

In 2017, under the state term contract, Gregory Pest Solutions responded to South Carolina’s needs for emergency mosquito treatment.

We provided specialist treatment in Anderson County, Union County and Rock Hill. A number of people were infected with West Nile Virus in South Carolina, including in Spartanburg County.

How Gregory Managed the Public Health Threat of West Nile Virus

Our course of action to control West Nile mosquitos was determined by a Gregory Board Certified Entomologist and included spraying affected areas.

Rapid Mobilization Across Anderson Union and Rock Hill

Our pest management professionals applied specialist tried and trusted treatments covering a three-mile radius near the site of a resident who had been infected with West Nile virus. Our treatment methods had previously been successfully used in Anderson, Union and Rock Hill.

Pre-Negotiated State Pricing for SC Counties and Municipalities

Now public mosquito control is quicker, easier and cheaper. Public schools and county offices in South Carolina can automatically save money, and skip the usual process when they hire Gregory Pest Solutions. That’s because Gregory Pest Solutions have been awarded the South Carolina State Term Mosquito Service Contract, which gives selected state funded institutions a special pre-approved discounted rate. Contact us for more details.

Our Proven Action Plan for Wide Area Mosquito Control

At Gregory Pest Solutions, we implemented proven action plans to control mosquitos over wide areas. These plans included spray treatments and preventative education to help protect the good people of South Carolina.

Traditional Barrier Spray Treatments

We treated the mosquito-affected areas with Ultralow-volume (ULV) applications of Aqua-reslin Super from Bayer. ULV is when tiny particles of the treatment product are released into the air to specifically target adult mosquitoes. 

To be effective, we had to apply the Aqua-reslin to directly hit the mosquitoes. The small size of the particles allowed us to treat affected areas for mosquitoes while protecting other, larger organisms. 

West Nile virus mosquitoes that are known to bite and spread the virus most active at night time. So we treated the area at night to protect pollinators, as they usually rest in the trees or thick vegetation at night.

Mosquito Repellent Systems

Looking for how to protect yourself from mosquitoes? The CDC recommend this:

• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents
• Use DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to repel mosquitoes
• Wear light coloured, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, plus close-toed shoes
• Keep doors shut and repair window and door screens
• Avoid being outside between dusk and dawn
• Use screens on windows, doors and air conditioning

Ongoing Community Protection and Prevention Strategies

Prevention goes a long way towards protection. So in 2017 our local team went door to door around neighborhoods within the treatment area to help advise homeowners in the area about mosquito prevention techniques. See below about how you can help protect yourself, your family, your employees and your customers.

Advanced Biological Lifecycle Interruption

Mosquitoes only need a teaspoon of water to breed. So we can use a specialist larvicide on standing water that can’t be drained in your yard. This is designed by experts to interrupt the mosquitoes’ lifecycle by targeting the larvae that have already hatched from eggs to prevent them from becoming adults.

Source Reduction and Eliminating Standing Water Breeding Sites

A lot of us have habits that actually attract mosquitoes. The fact is that mosquitoes only need half an inch of water to breed, so places like bird baths, water dishes and ornamental ponds are a mosquito’s paradise.

Here are some hints and tips to make mosquitos less welcome to your yard:

• Dump out standing water from neglected water containers
• Refresh your pet’s water dish every day 
• Unclog drains and ditches
• Apply mosquito dunks or larvicides to small areas of standing water

Partner with Gregory for North & South Carolina Mosquito Services

Your licensed specialists at Gregory Pest Solutions provide high-impact mosquito control services across the Carolinas. With 50+ years’ experience delivering professional-grade deterrence and eradication for homes and businesses, our technical expertise has officially earned us the South Carolina State Term Contract.

Residential Mosquito Treatment

At Gregory Pest Solutions our professionals are dedicated to ensuring your home life stays undisturbed by Carolina pests. Using our extensive field experience, we create powerful, customized, effective residential mosquito control strategies that protect you by eradicating skeeters.

Commercial Mosquito Treatment

To ensure your establishment stays operational and customer-ready, Gregory Pest Solutions delivers high-impact, rapid-response commercial mosquito control services across the Carolinas. Our specialist, professional-grade treatments safeguard your brand, your employees, your patrons, and your stakeholders.

Frequently Asked Questions About West Nile Virus