Tag Archives: insects

Avoiding Mosquitoes After Rain, Flooding

Have a safe and fun-filled summer

Stay safe when swimming

Memorial weekend typically brings with it the openings of swimming pools and other outdoor water activities. Swimming in an ocean or pool is an excellent outdoor activity for the whole family and it’s important to make sure everyone is equipped with sunscreen to protect themselves from harmful, burning ultraviolet (UV) rays. Practicing sun safety plays an important role in the prevention of skin cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Apply broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15 before going outdoors. Reapply sunscreen if it wears off after swimming, sweating or toweling off.

Protect yourself from insect bites

Sunscreen isn’t all you should arm yourself with: Use an insect repellent containing Deet to protect your family from insects while outdoors. The repellent is safe and, when used as directed, is the best way to protect against mosquito bites, ticks and other biting insects; children and pregnant women should protect themselves also. The bite of insects such as mosquitoes can potentially do more than cause irritating itching; mosquitoes can also transmit diseases such as West Nile and Zika.

Watch out for rip currents

It’s also important to be knowledgeable about rip currents or rip tides at the beach. Rip currents are responsible for many deaths on our nation’s beaches every year and can occur in any body of water that has breaking waves, not just the ocean. Currents at the beach can move to different locations along the coast and can be deadly both to swimmers and those in waist deep water where the rip current occurs. Be sure to check in with lifeguards, who can alert you to areas that have rip current potential.

Here are some more tips to keep you and your family safe and healthy at the beach or pool:

Always supervise children when in or around water.
Dress in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing if it is hot outside. Stay cool with cool showers or baths. Seek medical care immediately if anyone has symptoms of heat-related illness, including a headache, nausea, dizziness, heavy sweating, and an elevated body temperature.
Stay hydrated. Your body loses fluids through sweat. Drink more water than usual — two to four cups of water every hour you are outside. Also, try to avoid alcohol intake to prevent dehydration.
Cover up. Clothing that covers your skin helps protect against UV rays. Be sure to apply sunscreen to exposed skin.
Be aware of swim and water quality advisories and avoid swimming in those areas.
Do not enter the water with cuts, open sores or lesions; naturally-occurring bacteria in the water may cause infection.
Do not swim in or allow children to play in swashes of water or near storm water drainage pipes. These shallow pools are caused by runoff from paved surfaces and often contain much higher levels of bacteria and pollutants than the ocean. Permanent water quality advisories are indicated by signs in these areas.
Do not swim in the ocean during or immediately following rainfall. Heavy rain can wash bacteria and possibly harmful pollutants into the surf. To reduce the risk of illness, wait at least 12 hours after a heavy rain to resume swimming.
Be sure to check your local news and weather forecast for information on heat and beach advisories before planning any type of outdoor activities.

Be safe and have fun this Memorial Day, and all summer

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By Adrianna Bradley

Warmer temperatures and longer days mean more families are heading outdoors to have fun in the sun. But don’t let the tranquil weather fool you. This time of year holds significant health and safety hazards, and DHEC wants to make sure your Memorial Day and summer plans are, above all, safe and fun.

Stay safe when swimming

Memorial weekend is traditionally the unofficial start of summer, which includes the openings of swimming pools and other outdoor water activities. It’s this time of year that many families from within and outside of South Carolina hit the roads to visit our state’s beautiful coastal beaches.

Swimming in an ocean or pool is an excellent outdoor activity for the whole family and it’s important to make sure everyone is equipped with sunscreen. The sun is fun when you protect yourself from harmful, burning ultraviolet (UV) rays. Practicing sun safety plays an important role in the prevention of skin cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Apply broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15 before going outdoors. Reapply sunscreen if it wears off after swimming, sweating or toweling off.

Protect yourself from insect bites

Sunscreen isn’t all you should arm yourself with: Use an insect repellent containing Deet to protect your family from insects while outdoors. The repellent is safe and, when used as directed, is the best way to protect against mosquito bites, ticks and other biting insects; children and pregnant women should protect themselves also.

Watch out for rip currents

It’s also important to be knowledgeable about rip currents or rip tides at the beach. Rip currents are responsible for many deaths on our nation’s beaches every year and can occur in any body of water that has breaking waves, not just the ocean. Currents at the beach can move to different locations along the coast and can be deadly both to swimmers and those in waist deep water where the rip current occurs. Be sure to check in with lifeguards, who can alert you to areas that have rip current potential.

Be aware of ocean life

While most jellyfish in South Carolina’s coastal waters carry a mild sting, it’s still important to avoid touching all jellyfish in the water or washed on the beach. Do not try to touch or pick them up. Many have tentacles that can discharge venom-filled stingers into your skin, causing a sting. Another marine creature showing up on our coast recently are Portuguese Man of War. Like jellyfish, these creatures also have stinging cells that are capable of stinging even after they are dead. Do not touch them. If you do get stung, rinse the affected area with vinegar or apply baking soda and then soak in warm water.

Small sharks are also common in shallow ocean water and typically do not pose a threat to humans. Be sure not to swim near fishing piers as these areas tend to attract more sharks.

Below are some more tips to keep you and your family safe and healthy at the beach or pool:

Always supervise children when in or around water.
Dress in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing if it is hot outside. Stay cool with cool showers or baths. Seek medical care immediately if anyone has symptoms of heat-related illness, including a headache, nausea, dizziness, heavy sweating, and an elevated body temperature.
Stay hydrated. Your body loses fluids through sweat. Drink more water than usual — two to four cups of water every hour you are outside. Also, try to avoid alcohol intake to prevent dehydration.
Cover up. Clothing that covers your skin helps protect against UV rays. Be sure to apply sunscreen to exposed skin.
Be aware of swim and water quality advisories and avoid swimming in those areas.
Do not enter the water with cuts, open sores or lesions; naturally-occurring bacteria in the water may cause infection.
Do not swim in or allow children to play in swashes of water or near storm water drainage pipes. These shallow pools are caused by runoff from paved surfaces and often contain much higher levels of bacteria and pollutants than the ocean. Permanent water quality advisories are indicated by signs in these areas.
Do not swim in the ocean during or immediately following rainfall. Heavy rain can wash bacteria and possibly harmful pollutants into the surf. To reduce the risk of illness, wait at least 12 hours after a heavy rain to resume swimming.

Be sure to check your local news and weather forecast for information on heat and beach advisories before planning any type of outdoor activities.

The Mosquitoes Are Coming. Be prepared.

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By Warren Bolton

It’s that time of year when mosquitoes invade South Carolina. Considering the flooding we experienced in October as well as a mild winter and the warm weather ahead, it’s reasonable to expect an influx of these insects in the Palmetto State.

Mosquito-borne diseases

South Carolina is home to at least 61 different species of mosquito. While the itch-inducing bite from the pests is enough of a bother, they can pose a real danger in some instances: Mosquitoes in South Carolina might carry West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis or other viruses or parasites. Although there has been heightened concern recently over the Zika virus due to an outbreak in South America, there have been no confirmed cases found in South Carolina.

DHEC works in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor mosquito populations for diseases that can be spread to humans. We also provide information to help individuals and communities take action to reduce mosquito populations in their area and prevent bites.

Local mosquito control

Local governments play a key role in protecting citizens from mosquito-borne illnesses either through local mosquito control programs or through local ordinances. DHEC is encouraging local officials to review, update or create local ordinances designed to aid in mosquito reduction or treat standing water from roadside ditches, puddles or pools, and other areas that serve as breeding sites, such as man-made containers like tires, flower pots, kiddy pools, bird baths, etc. Counties or municipalities without abatement programs aimed at controlling mosquitoes are encouraged to institute local ordinances.

Get mosquitoes out of your yard

But local governments are only part of the solution. You must mount your own defense against a mosquito invasion as well. You can begin by removing, emptying or filling any objects in your yard or home that might hold water in order to eliminate breeding sites.

It’s critical that we all join forces and do our part to combat the threat of mosquito-borne viruses and parasites. We must be vigilant about controlling the mosquito population in our own yards and communities while protecting ourselves from bites.

Eliminating mosquito breeding areas

In surveying your property for mosquito breeding spots, leave literally no stone unturned. Among other things:

Clear out weeds, leaves, dirt and other debris from pipes.
Repair leaky pipes and outdoor faucets.
Clean out rain gutters and downspouts regularly.
Empty and turn over containers that hold water, such as cans, jars, drums, bottles, flower pots, buckets, children’s toys, wheel barrows, old appliances, plastic sheeting or tarps used to cover objects like grills or swimming pools, etc.
Make sure that all permanent water containers, such as wells, septic tanks, cisterns, water tanks, and cesspools are tightly covered and insect-proof.
Use mosquito dunks or mosquito-eating minnows in decorative ponds
Change the water in bird baths and empty and clean out children’s wading pools at least once a week.
Clean out and change the water in your pet’s water bowl or trough every day.
Larger troughs for livestock should be cleaned out on a weekly basis.
Cover trash containers and garbage cans to keep rainwater from accumulating.
Drain or get rid of old tires by recycling them.

Preventing bites

We also must protect ourselves from mosquito bites.

If you must be outside, apply a mosquito repellent — either a spray or wipe — to your skin or wear protective clothing per manufacturer instructions to help shield you.
Avoid going outside at dusk or wearing perfume or scented products.
Also, keep car windows rolled up and garage doors closed at night.
Please also make sure that all screens on windows and doors are intact and installed properly.

Make no mistake. The mosquitoes are coming. Be prepared.

Visit DHEC’s mosquito information page for additional information about protecting yourself from mosquito bites, eliminating breeding areas, local mosquito control and more.

Avoiding Mosquitoes After a Flood

3 Replies

By Jim Beasley

Recent rains and flooding left many areas of South Carolina saturated with standing water, which has the potential to become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are cold-blooded and do not thrive in cooler temperatures, so cold snaps in the weather can help reduce the likelihood of excessive mosquito breeding. But don’t just count on the weather. You can do your part to reduce mosquito populations and reduce your family’s exposure to these pesky, and potentially harmful, insects.

Do your part – reduce mosquito breeding habitats.

It only takes as few as five days for water in containers as small as a bottle cap to become active breeding sites for mosquitoes.

Routinely empty any containers on your property that are holding water:
- Pool covers
- Flower pots
- Boat covers
- Tires
- Pet bowls
- Toys
- Tarps
- Etc.
Remove debris from gutters.
Trim back thick shrubbery and overgrown grass on your property.
Fix leaky outdoor faucets.

Protect you and your family from mosquitoes and possible exposure to mosquito-borne illnesses.

Repair damaged or broken doors and screens.
Wear light-colored clothes with long sleeves and long pants.
Close garage doors at night.

If you choose to wear insect repellent, the EPA has a web-based tool to help you find the proper insect repellent for your time spent outdoors.
Visit www2.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-insect-repellent-right-you.

If you have mosquito problems in your area, please visit DHEC’s mosquito information page and click on “Local Mosquito Control” for a list of local mosquito control agency contacts.

Download our helpful information sheet on protecting your home against mosquitoes.
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