These 10 SC cities have the worst mosquito problems in 2023, Terminix says. Here’s where

Patrick McCreless
·2 min read
2

If you asked the average South Carolinian what’s bad about summers in the state, mosquitoes would likely be at the top of many lists.

The dreaded insect is one of the scourges of the South. It causes irritating, itchy bites and can carry dangerous diseases.

“As we enter into summer, it’s important to acknowledge the presence of mosquitoes and take proactive measures to safeguard against mosquito-borne diseases,” Kevin Hathorne, technical director of Terminix Service, Inc., said in a Friday press release. “We strongly urge everyone to take proactive steps to reduce the potential mosquito population in their yards, including eliminating stagnant water sources around your home and having your yard professionally treated regularly throughout the summer.”

And while mosquitoes are a problem across South Carolina, some cities face greater infestations than others.

Terminix on Friday revealed the 15 cities in the Carolinas and Central Savannah River Area with the worst prevalence of mosquitoes in 2023. The latest rankings are based on mosquito service calls received by the 56 local Terminix branches throughout the Carolinas and the Central Savannah River Area.

Of the 15 cities listed, 10 are in South Carolina. Rock Hill took the highest spot of the South Carolina cities, ranking second on the list.

Here is the full list of worst mosquito-infested cities in the Carolinas.

  1. Charlotte, NC

  2. Rock Hill, SC

  3. Georgetown, SC

  4. Harrisburg, NC

  5. Gastonia, NC

  6. Bluffton, SC

  7. Columbia, SC

  8. Greenville, SC

  9. Monroe, NC

  10. Florence, SC

  11. Charleston, SC

  12. Hendersonville, NC

  13. Camden, SC

  14. Mount Pleasant, SC

  15. Conway, SC

How to control mosquitoes in your yard

  • Ridding your property of mosquitoes starts with eliminating places where they lay their eggs.

  • Remove any containers or pools of stagnant water from your property, as they are ideal breeding spots for mosquitoes.

  • Tightly cover water storage containers so mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.

  • Fill tree holes to prevent them from filling with water.

  • If you have a septic tank, repair any cracks or gaps.

  • You can also use larvicides to treat large bodies of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped.

  • Use outdoor adulticide to kill adult mosquitoes where they rest, which include dark and humid areas like under patio furniture or under the garage.

How to control mosquitoes in your home

  • Use an indoor insect fogger or indoor insect spray to kill mosquitoes. Only using insecticide will not keep your home free of mosquitoes.

  • Use window and door screens and make sure they’re in good condition.

  • Kill mosquitoes where they rest, which includes dark and humid places like under sinks, in closets, under furniture and laundry rooms.