Chatham County Mosquito Company

- 65 Billy B. Hair Dr, Savannah, GA 31408

For residents and visitors in the Georgia coastal area, the presence of mosquitoes is a year-round reality. However, what many may not realize is the extensive, professional, and sophisticated operation dedicated to managing this issue—the Chatham County Mosquito Company (formally, the Chatham County Mosquito Control Department). This is not a typical private pest control service, but a crucial, independent county department with a singular mission: to provide a comprehensive and cost-effective mosquito abatement program for all of Chatham County and its municipalities, including Savannah.

Since its organization in 1957, the department has been at the forefront of protecting Chatham County's nearly 300,000 citizens from both nuisance and medically important mosquitoes. The coastal environment of Georgia, with its vast mix of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, from barrier islands to urban landscapes, is home to a staggering forty species of mosquitoes. This unique challenge demands a highly professional and specialized approach.

The core of their strategy is Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM), a careful balance of physical, biological, and chemical controls designed to achieve maximum effectiveness with the least possible environmental impact. Their work is a vital public health service, not only aiming to reduce the number of annoying bites but, more critically, to minimize the threat of mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The department’s commitment to community safety and responsive service is often highlighted by local users. For instance, one grateful resident shared their appreciation, stating, “I filed a claim the last night. Cole came out the next morning and took care of the issue. He went above and beyond and communicated with me exactly what he was doing. I greatly appreciate it!” This level of prompt, clear communication and dedication to service is a hallmark of their operation.

The Chatham County Mosquito Company’s operations are headquartered in Savannah, positioning the department strategically to manage the expansive land area of the county.

The facility is located at: 65 Billy B. Hair Dr, Savannah, GA 31408, USA.

As a public service committed to the entire community, the office ensures full accessibility for citizens who need to visit for consultation or to file reports. Accessibility features include:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Citizens are encouraged to utilize their communication channels to report high mosquito activity or standing water issues. The department prioritizes these service requests, using them as key data points in their daily surveillance and mission planning, demonstrating their responsiveness to the needs of the local user.

The Chatham County Mosquito Company provides a broad and highly specialized range of services, all focused on comprehensive mosquito abatement and vector control. Their mission is achieved through a multi-faceted approach, incorporating extensive field work, advanced technology, and community engagement. Key services include:

• Mosquito Abatement and Mosquito Management across the entire county and its municipalities.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to balance control strategies with environmental considerations.
• Disease Control through the routine collection, testing, and surveillance of mosquitoes for viruses like West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
• Chemical Control, including targeted Pesticide Applications, Larviciding (treatment of water for immature mosquitoes), and Adulticiding (spraying for flying adults).
• Physical Control, often referred to as Source Reduction, which includes large-scale Maintenance Services like ditching operations to dewater large mosquito breeding sites.
• Ground Treatments using Ultra Low Volume (ULV) spray equipment mounted on trucks, typically performed at dusk, dawn, and nighttime hours.
• Aerial Adulticiding Missions using a dedicated fleet of aircraft (helicopters and airplanes) for targeted treatment in both remote and heavily populated areas.
• Routine Inspection and Treatment of both large aerial target sites and smaller breeding spots near residential areas.
• Surveillance using various methods, including Mosquito Traps, human landing rate monitoring, and a sentinel chicken flock to detect viral activity.
• Emergency Management and support, leveraging the department’s air unit and specialized equipment to assist other county agencies, including Fire Services and Animal Services, in times of need.
• Sewer Services inspection for vector species, particularly the Southern house mosquito, a primary vector of West Nile Virus.
• Mosquito Relief efforts, responding promptly to resident complaints and targeting those areas for treatment.

The Chatham County Mosquito Company stands out for its unique blend of public health commitment and advanced operational capabilities:

• Comprehensive County Coverage: Their program is not limited to specific neighborhoods; it provides essential mosquito control for all of unincorporated Chatham County and its eight municipalities.
• Advanced Air Unit: The department maintains a dedicated fleet of specialized aircraft (helicopters and airplanes) that are the primary tools for rapid surveillance and large-scale, precision-guided aerial treatments, particularly critical in the expansive coastal marsh environments.
• Vector-Borne Disease Surveillance: They conduct rigorous scientific testing and monitoring of mosquito populations for diseases such as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, ensuring that control efforts are directed exactly where health risks are highest.
• Multi-Use Operational Capability: The specialized air unit and staff are trained and equipped to provide support beyond mosquito control, assisting local law enforcement, fire departments, and Emergency Management with search and rescue and wildfire fighting capabilities.
• Source Reduction Infrastructure: Their Maintenance Services division performs large-scale Physical Control, including year-round ditching operations, to permanently reduce large mosquito breeding habitats.
• Citizen-Centric Response: Resident service requests are individually plotted on a county map and used daily to identify and prioritize local "trouble spots" for ground-level inspection and treatment.
• Highly Trained Personnel: The department employs a staff of licensed professionals and entomologists who possess advanced knowledge in public health and pest control categories, ensuring treatments are effective and compliant with state and federal regulations.

For general inquiries, to report a mosquito problem in your area, or to learn more about the Chatham County Mosquito Control Department’s operations, residents may use the following contact details:

Address: 65 Billy B. Hair Dr, Savannah, GA 31408, USA

Phone: (912) 790-2540

Mobile Phone: +1 912-790-2540

As a public service, the Chatham County Mosquito Company is an indispensable asset to the Georgia community. Choosing to trust their service means relying on a high-level, professional, and dedicated government agency whose sole focus is the widespread protection of public health and quality of life.

Unlike private services that focus on individual properties, the county's program ensures comprehensive coverage across the entire 440 square miles of Chatham County. This holistic approach is the only truly effective way to combat disease vectors, which do not respect property lines. Their Integrated Mosquito Management strategy is driven by data, science, and rigorous surveillance—from testing mosquito populations to using sentinel chicken flocks—which provides the most targeted and scientifically sound method of control available.

Moreover, the department is dedicated to public transparency and responsiveness. They announce scheduled aerial adulticide missions in advance, and their staff, such as the commendable Tyler who received thanks for his "remarkable performance and dedication to community service," is known for responding to citizen service requests with proficiency and understanding. For any Georgian concerned about the seasonal nuisance of mosquitoes or the serious threat of mosquito-borne diseases, supporting and utilizing the services of the Chatham County Mosquito Company is crucial to maintaining a safer and healthier community environment.

Chatham County Mosquito Company

65 Billy B. Hair Dr, Savannah, GA 31408, USA