Chatham County Mosquito Control was organized in 1957 based on an approach called integrated mosquito management (IMM). There are 40 mosquito species in the county and the control methods for each may be different. Surveillance is essential for successful implementation of all control strategies. Our IMM approach incorporates physical, biological, and chemical controls. Balancing their application, rather than depending upon a single control strategy obtains maximum effectiveness with the least environmental impact. Surveillance
Chatham County uses an integrated pest management approach to mosquito control and obviously, surveillance is essential. Forty species of mosquitoes are known to occur in the county, of which only eleven are important nuisance species or disease vectors. Culiseta melanura (Coquillett) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say are the only two species from which we have isolated Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEv) and West Nile virus (WNv), respectively. Surveillance begins in our front office, where calls from our residents are individually plotted on a county map using different colored pins for each day of the working week. This map is used to locate trouble spots, as indicated by a cluster of pins. After a significant rain event, our staff's direct field observations corroborate the telephone requests for service, and there is little need to inspect each residence. However, during drier periods, staff members investigate many of the calls, suspecting artificial container species or other isolated situations that create a localized problem. The map is then used to plan both ground and aerial adult control missions.
The staff locates and monitors mosquito-breeding sites for immature mosquitoes. Mosquito traps, reports from residents, and human landing rates are used to monitor adult mosquito populations. A sentinel chicken flock is used to detect the presence of the mosquito-borne disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). In addition to the sentinel chicken flock, other adult mosquito traps are deployed on a weekly basis to monitor populations of mosquitoes involved in the transmission of Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEv) and West Nile virus (WNv).
Physical Control Known mosquito breeding sites are physically altered to reduce or eliminate immature mosquito populations. Every effort is made to enhance natural biological controls and minimize the impact on the surrounding area. Physical control is the only long lasting form of control and can be the most economical. It may reduce or eliminate the need for chemical controls. Biological Control Mosquito eating fish are used wherever possible for mosquito control. They reproduce easily and maintain their numbers where water depth provides protection from birds and other predators. Residents may obtain mosquito fish at no cost through our office but should call first to check on availability. Chemical Control Pesticides applications supplement physical and biological controls. Chemicals used are registered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDOA) and labeled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pesticide applications are made only when needed and post-treatment inspections are conducted to measure effectiveness. Applications are not made in the absence of mosquitoes except in a limited number of known mosquito breeding sites.
Chatham County Mosquito Control is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except legal holidays). Calls are accepted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 790-2540. If you have questions concerning mosquito control operations in Chatham County, Georgia, you are invited to call or visit this office.
