Georgetown County introduces safe repellant to reduce mosquitoes, improve environment

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) — Municipalities across the Lowcountry are always looking for ways to improve the environment by making it friendly for all.

In Georgetown County, leaders have started using a new repellent to eliminate mosquitos while saving nature and wildlife.

In 2023, the county tested the eco-friendly repellent, which consists of natural ingredients like lemongrass, cedarwood, garlic, and rosemary. In January of this year, leaders decided to make the change permanently.

County leaders said since then, they have seen a decrease in mosquitoes and an uptick in pollinators like bees and butterflies. Officials believe the essential oils are what made the positive impact.

“We had a lot of people who, in the past, tell us they had respiratory problems. I worked with people who were allergic to the original product. My own family had asthma, so a product like that was not something you wanted them to breathe in,” said Roban Mears, mosquito control supervisor for Georgetown County.

The creator of the eco-friendly repellant told me he wanted people to have a healthier experience while relaxing outside and help improve the environment.

We could’ve developed a toxic pesticide, but my business partners and I felt strongly that we wanted to do something at the time. We’re all parents, and we all have backyards, and you know, we do want to do something that doesn’t compromise people’s health and the environment,” said Peter Olt, the CEO of Mosquito Musician.

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