RICHLAND COUNTY, SC (WACH) — The South Carolina Department of Health is urging citizens to remove standing water to help control the mosquito population in their communities.

After storms, the number of mosquitoes tends to increase due to increasing water accumulation.

Mosquitoes can thrive in water that stands for more than five days. The DPH recommends removing all standing water to help control the mosquito population around your home and property.

“Mosquitoes can lay their eggs in small amounts of water, so it is very important to eliminate standing water that can accumulate in buckets, flower pots, grill covers, tires, trash can lids, toys and yard decorations, or trash,” said Dr. Chris Evans, state health department entomologist with the DPH. “Filling depressions such as tire tracks or puddles with soil or cement is important to prevent rainwater from accumulating in these areas. Removing or preventing standing water is one of the most effective ways to reduce mosquito populations in your home and community, which in turn reduces the risk of disease transmission through their bites.”

DPH offers educational materials and tips on mosquito and bite prevention and more.

There are at least 61 species of mosquitoes in South Carolina, but not all of them bite humans.

Mosquitoes are mostly annoying, but some species can pose a serious threat to human and animal health by spreading diseases.

The most common diseases potentially transmitted by mosquitoes in South Carolina include West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus, La Crosse encephalitis virus, Saint Louis encephalitis virus, and heartworm in pets.

“Given the potential increase in the mosquito population following Tropical Storm Debby, it is important that South Carolinians take additional steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites,” said Dr. Evans.

The American Mosquito Control Association recommends that in addition to draining standing water when outdoors, you also wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and apply an EPA-registered product that contains a repellent such as catnip oil, citronella oil, DEET, IR 3535, lemon eucalyptus oil, picaridin, p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), 2-undecanone, or clothing treated with permethrin. Be sure to follow directions when applying the repellent.

DPH does not carry out mosquito control.

The agency’s mission is to provide information to help residents, communities and local mosquito control programs take action to reduce mosquito populations. Control programs are administered locally by city or county governments.

The DPH works with the CDC to monitor mosquitoes for diseases that can be transmitted to humans.

DPH’s surveillance program for mosquito-borne diseases includes trapping and testing mosquitoes, testing dead birds, and working with Clemson University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Center to test livestock such as horses.

The DPH also monitors and responds to cases of mosquito-borne diseases in humans.

The Atlantic hurricane season lasts until November 30. After each storm, it is important to remove standing water from around your home.