MARION, SC (WBTW) – Officials in Marion County have requested funding for a mosquito spraying program as giant mosquitos are becoming a major concern.
Mayor Barbara Hopkins says the county doesn’t have the money for a mosquito spraying program and it is working to get a grant and funding through legislation. She says the county will find out next week if it will get financial assistance in hiring mosquito sprayers who are certified to work with the chemicals. Until then, she is urging residents to wear mosquito repellent when going outside. But she says people should try to stay indoors, especially young children and elderly people because they’re not always physically able to swat mosquitos away or get away from them.
Mayor Hopkins also says the county needs help cleaning out some of the ditches and the roads that are filled with standing water, which is a breeding ground for mosquitos, as well as debris and household items that were thrown into ditches.
“If they don’t clean them ditches out where all that nasty water came from the flood, they’re going to stay here,” she said. “We have no kind of equipment to try to clean up the town. We have one person that does work part time to try to help. Myself had to go push that refrigerator and all that stuff out of that road out of 301 highway, the main highway.”
News13 also spoke with two Sellers residents who say the mosquitos are so bad, they can’t do everyday things like mow the lawn or take out the trash without getting attacked.
“You can’t even cut the grass. They’re coming all over you,” said Olaino Moody. His friend, Walter Frank, said he can’t sit on his porch or go in his backyard without having to fight off a swarm of mosquitos.
Both men are urging local and state officials to do something about the mosquito problem.
“If we’re paying taxes, why not come out here and do something about it? Because these mosquitos are outrageous,” said Frank.
Frank says he poured gasoline into a puddle of water outside of his house to keep the mosquitos from breeding. But he says “they’re still coming.” He says he’s most concern about keeping his family safe. He tells News13 his son no longer goes outside to play and is constantly attacked by mosquitos as he walks to the bus stop. Frank and Moody both say these mosquitos aren’t just an annoyance but a health hazard as well. They’re worried these mosquitos are carrying viruses like West Nile.
“I know a lot of older people. And it doesn’t take much for mosquitos to bite them and you don’t know what type of infection they got on them,” said Frank.
Mayor Hopkins says the county will know next week if the request for funding of a mosquito control program was approved. She also says Sellers is still recovering from hurricanes Matthew and Florence, and donations for victims can be dropped off at 2635 Main Street at the Sellers Library and Resource Center.
