Spraying against mosquitoes in Richland County planned Oct. 21

Residents of the Lake Katherine area should be on the lookout for trucks spraying an insecticide mist on Wednesday, October 21 between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.. When you see the truck in your neighborhood, you are encouraged to remain inside your home.

The mist is the insecticide permethrin, a commonly used synthetic insecticide used to control mosquitoes and other pests. Although research shows the chemical has low toxicity in mammals, including humans, breathing the mist or vapors should be avoided especially by the people who are working around it.

If you or someone in your home is allergic to permethrin or if you keep bees, the county wants to hear from you. Call Richland County Vector Control at 803-576-2425 or the Richland County Ombudsman at 803-929-6000.

The program, announced Friday, is designed to kill what is expected to be an larger than usual population of mosquitoes, enlarged by warm temperatures and the recent flood.

In advance of the Wednesday evening spraying, county and city pest control workers have been treating pools of standing water to kill mosquito larvae.