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1. Who is providing Mosquito Control to Camden County?

Vector Disease Control International, VDCI – They have a white truck with Mosquito Control Contractor on the door. 

2. Do you have a set schedule for spraying mosquitoes? Can you call me before you spray?

Spraying for adult mosquito outbreaks occurs on an as-needed basis. As such, we make daily decisions based on the data gathered from our traps set across the county, observations from field technicians, and service requests from the citizens.  The Program Director considers multiple factors each day before assigning spray truck routes including:

• Mosquito species-specific factors such as population density, breeding habitat, migration pattern, peak activity time, preferred blood source, disease-capability, and chemical susceptibility
• Community-specific factors such as potential for negative economic or quality of life impact, susceptible populations such as the young, elderly, or immune-compromised, local events and outdoor activities, public concerns
• Environmental factors such as weather conditions (including temperature, rain, and wind), and protection of non-target organisms and ecosystems

This allows us to assign spray trucks where the chemical application is most needed and will be most effective. By using this scientifically justified approach we can be good stewards of the environment while protecting human health using the appropriate chemicals and amounts sufficient to minimize the negative impact of the vector while avoiding any unnecessary risk. 

From a logistics standpoint, we are not able to contact every citizen prior to spraying. You can request to be placed on the no-spray list or request to be sprayed by calling 912-217-6300. 

3. How can I request to not be sprayed?

Yes. Only the property owner can make this request. Please contact the Mosquito Control Office at 912-217-6300 and request to speak with a Supervisor to be added to our Exclusion List. The spray drift from our trucks is usually about 300 feet, and we closely monitor the wind speed and direction as to make sure the spray does not go off-target. Once added to the Exclusion List, a 300 foot buffer zone will be implemented around your property and when the spray truck passes you may still here the spray unit’s engine running, but no chemical (it looks like a white plume from the bed of the truck) should be visible. 

4. Are the products that you use safe?

The products we use are registered and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These products have undergone extensive testing to ensure that when they are applied in a manner consistent with the label that they will not have any significant adverse effects on human health or the environment. For more information see the Larvicide and Adulticide pages on our website.

5. Is there anything I can do to help with mosquito control?

Yes!

1. Check clogged gutters and flat roofs that may have poor drainage
2. Drain all water from boats while being stored
3. Drain water from pools not in use
4. Empty plastic wading pools, bird baths, and pet water bowls at least once a week
5. Fill in tree holes and hollow stumps that hold water
6. Repair screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios
7. Remove standing water in old tires buckets, drums, or any other containers
8. Stock your ornamental water gardens with mosquito-eating fish (Gambusia, Minnows, or Goldfish)
9. Avoid being outside around dusk or dawn (peak mosquito activity times) if possible
10. Apply and reapply insect repellant to yourself and family if you are going to be outside
11. Reach out to our staff with any questions and place service requests so we can better serve the community!

6. Do you provide public education about mosquitoes?

Yes, mosquito control personnel are willing to provide educational programs to groups throughout the year. Contact the Mosquito Control Office at 912-217-6300 for more information.

7. How does the service request work?

All mosquito service requests will be processed as soon as possible, usually within 48 hours, staff and weather permitting. You can contact the call us at 912-217-6300 and provide us with your name, telephone number, address including the city and zip code, name of your development (if applicable), and gate code (if applicable). Then, your location will be scheduled for inspection and/or to be sprayed by a truck depending on the inspection and trap data. 

8. How many phone calls do you need to spray in my area?

The number of phone calls for service does not determine when or where treatment for adult mosquitoes will be done.

9. How many types of mosquitoes are there?

There are over 3,000 different types of mosquitoes. In Georgia we have over 60! Some are disease capable and are sent to the lab for testing while others are only pestiferous.

10. Do all mosquitoes bite?

No, only female mosquitoes bite. Females need blood to make eggs. Male mosquitoes feed on plant sugar. Only some species of mosquito like to bite people.

11. Can bites from mosquitoes make me sick?

Only a small number of mosquitoes in Georgia can transmit pathogens to people. Just because a mosquito is known to be capable of transmitting a pathogen, that does not mean it will ever be exposed to it.

12. Where are all the mosquitoes coming from?

Immature mosquitoes live and develop in standing water. The location depends upon the species. There are mosquitoes that breed in salt marshes, swamps, crab holes, ponds, swales, bromeliads and even small containers like buckets. But keep in mind, a mosquito only needs a bottle-cap of water to lay up to 300 eggs at one time! As adults, mosquitoes prefer nice shady places around vegetation. Chances are, if mosquitoes are bothering you at home, they are liking breeding someplace nearby.