From The Blog

Mosquito Misting Systems: How to Use Responsibly on the Island

While KICA has an annual strategy for mosquito abatement (learn more), many property owners have taken an additional step by installing mosquito misting systems of their own. Once banned on the island, these systems have the potential to play a part in integrated pest management when they are used properly. It’s best to have a licensed pest control service oversee the system. As with mosquito spraying done by KICA’s professionals, a misting system should not be run during the day when it is likely to kill other beneficial insects, such as bees, dragonflies and butterflies. Systems run during the day can also have adverse effects on people and pets. Make sure to run your mosquito misting system with these best practices in mind:

• Don’t spray during the day — you’re likely to miss adult mosquitoes and kill beneficial insects instead. Aim for 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. During these hours, you are more likely to kill mosquitoes without adversely affecting other wildlife.
• Always follow the label directions for chemical application. Many products are not labeled for use if wind is higher than 10 mph or if it’s raining. You should not run your misting system if these conditions occur.
• Consider your neighbors. Mist from these systems can drift onto the properties of your Kiawah neighbors, potentially harming people, pets and wildlife. This risk is reduced if you limit spraying to nighttime hours or inform neighbors before you spray.
• Consult a professional before using a misting system at an ocean- or marsh-front home. Using pesticides over or near water can be toxic to fish, amphibians, invertebrates and detrimental to environmentally-sensitive areas.
• Consider turning the system off when you’re not on the property. While they are annoying, mosquitoes are an important part of Kiawah’s ecosystem. If they are not having a direct impact on your experience, it is best to do nothing. A big part of Kiawah’s ethos is built on leaving as little impact as possible on our beautiful surroundings.

 

If you have a question or concern, you can contact KICA’s Lakes Management team at [email protected].