Manager: Stephen Cox
Phone:  (252) 636-4936
Fax:  (252) 636-1474
E-mail:  scox@cravencountync.gov

Advises and implements methods to control public health pests such as flies, roaches, rodents and mosquitoes. Also performs species identifications.

MISSION

To enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Craven County through the suppression of mosquito borne disease and other potential public health pests.

Mosquito Biology	Mosquito Viruses	Protective Measures	Protecting Your Horses	Control Measure
What Can You Do?	Mosquito Facts	Mosquito Links	Other Vectors	Contact Us

Mosquito Biology

Mosquitoes are members of the insect order Diptera, meaning two wings.  Mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis.  This means they have a life cycle that includes four stages of growth.  This begins with an egg stage and progresses through a larval stage, pupal stage and finally the adult stage.  When the optimum environmental conditions exist for a particular species their eggs will hatch and the larval stage begins.  The larvae require water to live and if the source dries they will die.  These larvae go through four growth periods called instars.  This is when the larvae are growing and feeding.  They then enter the pupal stage where they no longer feed and energy is directed towards production of the adult mosquito.   The adult mosquito then emerges from the water.  The males emerge first and hover around the site waiting to mate with the females.  The male mosquito does not bite; only the female does.  The blood a female mosquito acquires though its bite is not a source of food, but a source of protein for egg production.  The females may take several blood meals during its two to three week lifespan and may lay hundreds of eggs.  Mosquitoes can occupy a variety of habitats such as woodland pools, brackish marshes or artificial containers, depending on the species.

Mosquito Larvae	Mosquito Pupae

Mosquitoes are capable of spreading a number of viruses.   These viruses are called arboviruses, which stands for arthropod-borne virus.  The two arboviruses we are mainly concerned with here in eastern North Carolina are Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV).  Both of these viruses involve a complicated transmission cycle between mosquitoes and birds.  Certain mosquitoes can acquire the virus from an infected bird and potential bridge it to the mammal population such as humans.   The transmission cycle of EEE and WNV are shown below.  For detailed information on these viruses click on the links given.

Click here for detailed pictures and illustrations of the mosquitoes life cycle and habitats.

Protective Measures

Protection from mosquito bites requires responsible decisions on the part of every citizen.  The following guidelines should be followed to lessen the risk of mosquito bites.

• Avoid outdoor activity in areas with high mosquito infestation.
  
• Avoid outdoor activity at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
  
• Cover exposed areas with long pants, long-sleeve shirts and hats.
  
• Use mosquito repellants containing DEET.  Click here for information on what DEET is and the potential risks associated with it.  Always follow label directions and be especially careful when applying to children.  Click here for important guidelines on DEET use.
  
• The very young, elderly and persons with lowered immune systems have the highest risk for acquiring disease from mosquito bites and should be more cautious to avoid them.

Keep all screens in good repair so mosquitoes cannot get inside.

Protecting Your Horses

While there currently are no vaccines available to protect humans from mosquito borne viruses, there are vaccines available to protect horses.  These vaccines are available for both EEE and WNV.  It is recommended that you get your horses vaccinated annually.  Check with your veterinarian on the proper procedure for getting them vaccinated.

Click here for additional information about mosquito diseases  in horses and how you can prevent them.

 Control Measures

 A variety of control measures are available to suppress mosquito populations.  Craven County uses integrated pest management in its vector control program.  This means a variety of control is employed depending on a number of factors.  The various control measures include education, source reduction, larviciding, and adulticiding.  Surveillance techniques are in place to determine the optimum time to implement these control measures.

Vector control personnel are available to perform site evaluations in relation to requests from the public.  Many of these requests are handled by simply eliminating the source of the problem.  Many times the problem mosquito found is the Asian Tiger Mosquito.  The only way to control this mosquito is to eliminate its breeding source.  Education is a key component of this.  Click here for more information on the Asian Tiger Mosquito.

Through active larval mosquito surveillance, mosquito breeding sites are found.  They are mapped and monitored for breeding mosquitoes.  When breeding is taking place they are treated using biologicals that are specific to killing the larval mosquitoes.  This is known as larvaciding.

CDC Mosquito light traps are used to catch adult mosquitoes.  These are collected and the various mosquitoes identified as to each species.   This tells us which species are around and at what numbers.   This also tells us if these species are on the increase or the decrease.  When adult mosquitoes have reached elevated levels adulticiding or spraying measures are implemented.  This is the least effective control measure, but is often necessary to get adult mosquitoes to an acceptable level.

Surveillance methods are also in place to monitor mosquito disease activity within the county.  A key component of this is the use of sentinel chicken flocks.  This consists of the placing of chickens in prime locations for disease activity and taking a blood sample from them every two weeks.  These samples are submitted to a lab and tested for the presence of mosquito disease antibodies.  The detection of these diseases will many times trigger spraying depending on other factors.

EPA: Pesticides And Mosquito Control

Control Products Used By Craven County Vector Control

What Can You Do?

Mosquito control begins in your immediate environment.   The vast majority of mosquito problems are the result of them being bred in one's own yard.  The list below details many of the important practices to perform to keep mosquitoes from breeding around the home.

• Remove and discard old tires and drill drainage holes in tires used for playground equipment.
• Remove or turn over clay pots and plastic containers.
• Clean rain gutters so water can flow freely.
• Store plastic wading pools inside or turn them upside down when not being used.
• Check tarps such as those for boats and pools for areas holding water and arrange these to drain the water.
• Pump out bilges in boats and store canoes and small boats upside down.
• Remove unused pet food and water dishes.
• Replace birdbath water at least twice a week.
• Flush water in the bottom of plant holders at least twice a week.
• Flush livestock troughs at least twice a week.
• Turn wheelbarrows upside down when stored outside.
• Clean and discard any trash or debris.
• Do not leave trash can lids upside down and look for water standing in the bottom of trash cans.
• Repair dripping outside faucets.
• Inspect construction sites and do-it-yourself projects to ensure there is proper backfilling and grading to allow drainage.
• Keep ditches free of debris so they can properly drain.
• If you have ornamental ponds, tree holes or other low water holding areas contact Craven County's vector program for assistance.

Follow this link for an illustration of many things to look for.

Mosquito Facts

Mosquito control begins in your immediate environment.   The vast majority of mosquito problems are the result of them being bred in one's own yard.  The list below details many of the important practices to perform to keep mosquitoes from breeding around the home.

• Mosquitoes are not capable of spreading AIDS.   Click here for a detailed explanation why they cannot.
• People are not always the primary blood hosts for mosquitoes.  Many prefer to seek blood from birds and other mammals.  The Arctic circle has very few people, but millions of mosquitoes.
• Most mosquitoes do not like to travel and will stay within a 1 mile radius of their breeding site.
• Mosquitoes locate their blood hosts through scent, sight and heat.  They can detect our scent, especially the carbon dioxide we are exhaling, from up to 100 feet (30 meters) away.  They can see you at a distance of about 30 feet (10 meters).
• Bug zappers kill very few mosquitoes, but kill numerous beneficial insects.
• There are over 3,300 mosquito species worldwide.
• Mosquitoes are responsible for more deaths throughout the world than any other living creature.
• Studies have shown that while bats consume a large number of insects, mosquitoes are a very small proportion of their diet.
• The itch of a mosquito bite is due to chemicals it injects to keep the blood from clotting.

Mosquito Links

North Carolina Public Health Pest Management
North Carolina Mosquito and Vector Control Association
American Mosquito Control Association
Mid-Atlantic Mosquito Control Association
Mosquito Bytes
Mosquitoes and DEET
West Nile Virus and Wildlife
West Nile Virus and Pets
Heartworm Disease In Dogs and Cats

Other Vectors 

	Ticks Like mosquitoes, ticks are a part of life in Craven County.  They  also have the potential to spread diseases as well.  Protecting yourself from them is the key to avoiding their diseases.  Below are some important links to a variety of information about ticks. Tick Prevention tips Removing A Tick Tick Diseases
	Rodents Rodents can be a potential problem.  At the heart of rodent control is the maintenance of sanitary conditions.  To exist rodents require food, harborage and water.  Elimination of these requirements is the key to controlling them.  The Craven County Environmental Health Section provides rodent glue traps free of charge to help with their control.  Below is an important link to information about rodents. Rodent Contol
	Roaches and Flies Roaches and flies can also be pests of concern.  Like rodents, maintaining sanitary conditions is the key to controlling them.  Eliminating their food, water or harborage is the way to prevent them from becoming a problem.  Below are links to important information on them. Safer Roach Control Roaches and Asthma Flies and Fly Control
	Other Vectors Go to the links provided below for information on additional public health pests with the potential to cause problems. Flea Management Guidelines Bedbugs Lice Red Imported Fire Ant

Contact Us

Do you have a mosquito or vector related question or concern?  Contact the Craven County Vector Management program at (252) 636-4936 or e-mail Vector Program Manager Stephen Cox at scox@cravencountync.gov.  Vector control personnel are available to assist you with these questions and concerns.