Florence, South Carolina – Florence residents will soon see mosquito-control crews return to neighborhoods as the City prepares to begin its seasonal abatement work on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
The City’s mosquito abatement operations will cover the municipal service area, with spraying planned twice each week until all areas have been reached. After that first full rotation is completed, additional spraying will continue as needed through resident call-in requests.
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The work is handled by the Beautification and Facilities Division, which is responsible for mosquito abatement inside the City limits. The goal is not only to reduce the biting nuisance that can make yards, parks and outdoor spaces uncomfortable, but also to help lower the risk of mosquito-borne viruses, including West Nile and Zika.
Crews use a truck-mounted Ultra Low Volume fogger, commonly known as a ULV fogger. This equipment creates a fine mist designed to target adult mosquitoes and larvae while covering neighborhood areas more efficiently than many conventional spraying methods. Spraying usually takes place one to two times per week, although weather conditions may affect the schedule.
Because it takes time to move through the entire city, officials said it generally takes two or three weeks of spraying to reach all areas within the city limits.
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Residents also have a role to play. The City is asking people to inspect their property for standing water in buckets, tires, debris, rain gutters or other areas where water may collect. Even small amounts of stagnant water can become a breeding site, since mosquitoes lay eggs in or near water and larvae can develop quickly when conditions are right.
City residents may also pick up a mosquito brick from Public Works for use in standing water, including ditches and ponds. Residents should bring an ID so staff can verify their address. These mosquito bricks, also known as dunks, contain Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bti, a bacterium that targets mosquito larvae. According to the City’s information, they are non-toxic to fish, birds, pets and humans, and may be used in backyard ponds, fountains, bird baths, water gardens, animal watering troughs and fish habitats.
The City is also reminding local beekeepers to contact the Public Works Department at 843-665-3236. As a Bee City USA affiliate, Florence wants to be mindful of hive locations and avoid any potential impact from spraying. “If you are a beekeeper, please make sure to contact us so that we know your location in order to prevent spraying near your hives.”
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City of Florence residents who need mosquito control assistance may call 843-665-3236 to submit a work order.
