A plane conducting aerial mosquito abatement for Horry County Mosquito Control began spraying for mosquitoes on Monday and will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday evening, weather permitting.
Horry County Mosquito Control sprays for mosquitoes from trucks starting in April or May every year. Although aerial spraying is less frequent, it’s still a regular part of the county’s mosquito abatement strategy and is scheduled when necessary.
“It is something that is done annually and on a relatively regular basis as the need arises,” said Horry County Government Public Information Office deputy director Thomas Bell. “And obviously, with the aerial spraying, it allows the county to cover more areas where mosquitoes are hatching and out than just going around with the sprayer trucks.”
The last time Horry County conducted aerial spraying was in September of 2023, after Hurricane Idalia. While spraying after a hurricane or tropical storm isn’t a given, the local mosquito population often spikes after heavy rainfall.