Mosquito Control Service

As summer heats up and the rain comes down, your home comes under assault by mosquitoes! In Lowcountry South Carolina, mosquito and gnat (no-see-um) season never seems to end. Palmetto Mosquito Control offers effective options at different price levels so that you can take back your porch, patio, pool, deck and even your entire yard from pesky mosquitoes and gnats.

Call (843) 766-9701 in the Charleston, South Carolina area or (843) 785-2399 in the Hilton Head, South Carolina area today for a free on-site estimate.

Who is Palmetto Mosquito Control?

Palmetto Mosquito Control, LLC was established by Palmetto Exterminators, Inc. in March 2003 to offer the residents of Lowcountry South Carolina a unique and effective mosquito control program. The results have been amazing! Palmetto Mosquito Control’s program is the only complete mosquito control program on the market in the Lowcountry. Through scientific research, local Lowcountry test sites and our customer feedback, Palmetto Mosquito control, in affiliation with Palmetto Exterminators, has created a mosquito control program unlike any other.

OUR MOSQUITO CONTROL SERVICES

Palmetto Mosquito Control offers several different options that will make your outdoors livable:

The CoastalMister™ Automatic Misting System: The foundation of our mosquito control program is the CoastalMister™ Automatic Misting System. The CoastalMister™ system is the most technologically advanced continuous mosquito misting system available. With a touch of a button, you can mist away mosquitoes surrounding your home, deck, yard, pool or patio. Call Palmetto Mosquito Control at (843) 766-9701 in the Charleston area or (843) 785-2399 in the Hilton Head area for more information on the CoastalMister™ system and a free on-site estimate.

Palmetto Mosquito Control’s Unique Service: Instead of relying only on a misting system, our program includes periodic surface spray treatment of the area and jet fog treatment in order to provide our customers with the most effective mosquito and gnat control available in the Lowcountry.

Monthly Mosquito Control Service: For those customers who are not ready for a misting system, we also offer a monthly mosquito and gnat control program.

One Time Special Event Mosquito Control: We also offer one time treatments for special events, such as weddings, parties and other outdoor events.

Mosquito Misting and Mosquito Control 101

Are automatic misting systems a new technology?
Mosquito-misting technology has been in use for more than 25 years. In the past, most of the applications were on livestock farms to reduce populations of mosquitoes, flies and gnats around horses, poultry, cattle, and pigs. Within the past few years, misting technology has become more common in residential settings. Palmetto Mosquito Control, in affiliation with Palmetto Exterminators, has installed and serviced misting systems in conjunction with our multi-faceted mosquito and pest control services for almost 4 years. Palmetto Exterminators has provided termite and pest control services in South Carolina since 1960. Within the past couple of years, South Carolina has passed regulations specifically addressing licensing requirements for companies installing misting systems and providing other mosquito control services. Also, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) recently performed risk assessment studies of insecticides used in misting technology. The EPA study recognizes the low risks associated with certain insecticides used in misting systems. As a result, EPA required manufacturers to relabel insecticides for specific use in misting systems.

What products are used in Palmetto Mosquito Control’s misting system and are they considered "all natural"?
Palmetto Mosquito Control utilizes the most effective mosquito control products on the market today, which are in a class known as pyrethrins. Pyrethrins, although derived from the chrysanthemum flower, are not considered all natural due to other ingredients in the formulas that make them more effective. There are products available for use in a misting system that are organic and exempt from the EPA’s labeling requirements such as rosemary oil, wintergreen and cedar oil. The professionals at Palmetto Mosquito Control will consult with you about what product will be best in your outdoor environment. Remember that Palmetto Mosquito Control works in affiliation with Palmetto Exterminators, and Palmetto Exterminators has over 40 years of experience dealing with pesticides in the termite and pest control industry.

How much insecticide is contained in the tank of the Coastal Mister Misting System?
Palmetto Mosquito Control generally uses 55 gallon tanks depending upon the size of the target area. However, keep in mind that the pesticide’s active ingredient is mixed and diluted with water when the tank is filled. For example, in a 55-gallon misting tank, 55 gallons of water are mixed with 1/2 gallon (64 oz.) of insecticide concentrate, thus making the product formulation greater than 99% water. The 64 oz. of insecticide concentrate contains only 3.2 oz. of the active ingredient pyrethrin, or 5%. Typically, based on our experience for the last four years, a full tank (55 gals. of dilution) will provide a customer with approximately three months of misting. Therefore, only 3.2 oz. of pyrethrin will be misted out of a system during that three-month period.

If the mixture in the tank is 99% water, how does it work?
The products in the misting tank are mixed at a very low active ingredient concentration to target mosquitoes and gnats. Mosquitoes and gnats, unlike bigger, tougher insects such as flies, are actually fairly easy to kill provided you know how to target them. By setting the system to activate twice during the evening and early morning hours for 30 second intervals, the mist is most likely to come in contact with mosquitoes because that is the time of day when they are most active. Also, over time, once the initial treatment zone is established, most insects, if affected at all, are repelled from the target area, not killed. Our experience has been that once you step out of the target zone, you immediately encounter mosquitoes and gnats.
Also, keep in mind that the Coastal Mister Misting System is the anchor to Palmetto Mosquito Control’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methodology for mosquito control. Responsible pest control companies offering misting systems support IPM. During our service visits (every 2 to 3 months), we not only check to insure that the misting system is operating properly, but we also perform additional control services such as elimination of breeding and harborage sites, appropriate usage of contact insecticides, insect growth regulators, and other pest control techniques to provide you with the most effective mosquito and gnat control within the targeted area. The goal of our mosquito control program is to reduce substantially mosquito and gnat populations while at the same time using products according to their labels to protect your health and the environment.

Are the products used in misting systems toxic to people, pets, and other animals?
Pyrethrins are an insecticide and all insecticides have some level of toxicity. However, pyrethrins as compared to other insecticides are one of the least toxic insecticides to mammals. The EPA risk assessment shows that pyrethrins used in misting systems have low risks for people, mammals, and birds. We only use products that have EPA risk assessments and have been labeled by manufacturers for use in misting systems. We always carefully explain to our customers the label requirements and recommendations of the specific insecticide being used in their system. We also advise customers that misting directly onto a person, pet, or other animal should be avoided. However, a misting system and mosquito control service in areas where pets reside is very common. As mentioned above, these systems were originally used on livestock farms in and around the barns where the animals resided. The remarks made by veterinarian Dr. Mark Purser probably address this question best… "For many years the animal health profession has comfortably used a wide variety of pyrethrum-based products to control insect infestations. Using pyrethrum in a misting system and service is a great way to control mosquitoes and fly activity and the diseases they carry and transmit to our pets"(www.coastalmosquito.com). Interestingly, most of the products used in misting systems have labels that allow certain formulations of the product to be applied directly onto a pet or animal and can, in fact, be found in products such as pet shampoos and flea and tick products.

How long do I have to stay out of my yard after a misting cycle?
The product label and Palmetto Mosquito Control caution that you should avoid contact with wet insecticide. However, there is no labeling requirement or regulatory requirement that requires a person to stay out of the yard after a misting application. The droplet size of the mist is in the 35 micron range. The droplets settle out of the air in a few seconds and dry very quickly. Once exposed to the environment, pyrethrin insecticides will breakdown in just a few minutes. Palmetto Mosquito Control recommends that our customers wait only 5 minutes after activation of the system before entering the yard.

Are the products we use toxic to fish and shellfish?
If enough active ingredient (pyrethrin) is introduced into a body of water, it can be toxic to fish and shellfish. However, as licensed pest control professionals, we take precautions to limit the potential for drift over a body of water. Fortunately, as explained above, because of the product formulation (greater than 99% water) and the nature of the mist, the amount of pesticide that could ultimately enter a body of water from a 30 second misting cycle is inconsequential provided the system has been installed and serviced properly. Anecdotally, we have customers with ornamental fishponds who have experienced no adverse effects. Again EPA recognizes the benefits of using these products over and around bodies of water to control mosquitoes and recently announced that certain pesticides when applied properly are not restricted by the Clean Water Act.

Will the system and service kill other insects?
Yes, but remember that our formulations and treatments are specifically designed to target mosquitoes and gnats. Therefore, we have seen very little effect on other insects. In most cases, Palmetto Mosquito Control’s customers have also contracted with our affiliate company, Palmetto Exterminators, to perform general pest control services on the exterior of a customer’s home to control other pests such as roaches, spiders, ants, etc…

If the system and service are so effective against mosquitoes, will the system also kill beneficial insects such as honeybees and butterflies?
Remember that Palmetto Mosquito Control’s product formulation used in the misting system tank is specifically designed to target mosquitoes and gnats. The systems are set to mist at night and early morning when mosquitoes are active and honeybees, dragonflies and butterflies are not. Also, the low active concentration will have very little effect on larger insects. For example, an average fly is 4.9 times the size of a mosquito. When misting systems are used in barns and poultry houses to control flies for example, the formulation of insecticide is increased and the times of activation are modified. Anecdotally, based upon our customers’ experiences over the past four years, Palmetto Mosquito Control’s misting system and service have not had a significant negative impact on beneficial insects. Our customers observe many beneficial insects in their outdoor environments.

Is misting every day/night too much?
As mentioned above, the product formulation is a very low dose. Instead of treating the target area once with higher dosage rates and more volume, which is what is done during general pest control services, the misting system is applying very small amounts of active ingredient multiple times so that mosquitoes and gnats are better controlled in the target zone. In a 30 second misting cycle, only 0.000455 lbs of pyrethrin will mist out of a 25 –nozzle system (an average system). Keep in mind that what is important is the amount of active ingredient applied, not how often the system mists. In a comparison per acre treated, your county and local mosquito control programs treat at a dosage rate several times higher in a single application over a large area.

Do I need to turn off my HVAC system while my system is misting?
No, you do not need to turn off your HVAC system. Air conditioning systems do not pull air into your home from the outside unless they are designed with an outdoor air exchange. Consider that general pest control, lawn care and municipal mosquito fogging are performed around homes on a daily basis while HVAC systems are running. We do recommend that you close your windows and doors when your misting system is activated.

Do I need to notify the Fire Department that I have a misting system?
No. The dilution in the misting system tank is more than 99% water and falls below any notification threshold. The Reportable Quantity (RQ) for a spill of undiluted pyrethrin as defined by the EPA is 1 pound (16 oz.) of pyrethrin. There are only 3.2 oz. of pyrethrin diluted with 55 gallons water in a full tank. Therefore misting systems are not a concern for the Fire Departments. The dilution is not volatile and poses no health concerns once evaporated, which occurs quickly because of the dilution rate and the nature of the mist. Interestingly, most homeowners have other products stored in their home, which pose a much more serious threat of toxicity and flammability (e.g. propane, foam cushions, and gasoline).

What should I do if I suspect a leak or find a leak in my misting system?
You should turn your system off and immediately notify Palmetto Mosquito Control and/or Palmetto Exterminators. We have technicians in your area on a daily basis and will arrange inspection and repair of your system promptly. Our technicians will clean up any spilled material if necessary and dispose of the material properly. We are licensed professionals who know precisely how to handle a leak or spill issue.

How do I know that Palmetto Mosquito Control is experienced enough to install a misting system and provide mosquito control services?
We are a professional pest control company licensed and regulated under the laws of South Carolina and the Federal Government by the Clemson Department of Pesticide Regulation. Furthermore, Palmetto Mosquito Control works in affiliation with Palmetto Exterminators, which is also licensed and regulated by the same authority. With two graduate entomologists on staff and continuing education and training for our technicians, we stay abreast of recent developments and regulations in the mosquito and pest control industry. Our two graduate entomologists have over 80 years’ experience in the mosquito and pest control industry.

Are mosquito traps or magnets a good alternative to a misting system and treatment program?
You cannot compare the mosquito magnet to a misting system and Palmetto Mosquito Control’s overall program. Mosquito traps or magnets capture only the insects that are located down wind of the machine. There is no independent field research that supports the manufacturers’ claims that the mosquito traps actually reduce the population of mosquitoes and gnats in a specific outdoor area. One female mosquito can produce about 1,500 eggs that will emerge as adults in about 15 days. Anecdotally, many of our customers owned one or more mosquito magnets prior to purchasing our system and service.

Is there a negative impact on the environment?
With any pesticide application, there are always environmental concerns that should be considered, which is one of the reasons a homeowner should contract with the most experienced, licensed professional company. Palmetto Mosquito Control utilizes the Coastal Mister Misting System as the anchor to an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methodology for mosquito control. During our service visits (every 2 to 3 months), we not only check to insure that the misting system is operating properly, but we also perform control services such as elimination of breeding and harborage sites, appropriate usage of contact insecticides, insect growth regulators, and other pest control techniques to provide the most effective mosquito and gnat control within the targeted area. The goal of our mosquito control program is to reduce substantially mosquito and gnat populations in your yard so that you have a pleasant outdoor experience while at the same time following all labeling requirements in order to protect your health and the environment. Our services provide better control for an individual homeowner than the large area applications that are performed by our local, state, and federal governments. Government treatment programs are designed to limit the spread of mosquito borne diseases over a large area and are very limited in their effectiveness to control mosquitoes and gnats in a private homeowner's back yard. Our complete mosquito control program provides the control where you want and need it most — in your own back yard.