Protecting Horses from Mosquito-Borne Diseases

As mosquito season ramps up, several cases of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) have been reported in horses in North Carolina. The four horses were located in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, and Durham counties. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) says these are the first cases of EEE reported this year.
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Pestech of Greenville, Inc. is sharing information to protect your animals from deadly mosquito-borne diseases. Experts say EEE and West Nile Virus (WNV) could be more prevalent during the 2020 season due to the recent mild winter.

If an animal is infected with EEE, it is proven to be fatal 90 percent of the time in horses. Studies show that WNV has a fatality rate of 30 percent. NCDA&CS Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging equine owners to have their animals vaccinated against EEE and WNV. Both of these diseases are preventable by vaccination.

​Along with vaccination, your East Coast Extermination Professionals at Pestech of Greenville, are reminding homeowners that they can go an extra step in protecting their animals and their families. Our integrated pest management team is able to reduce the mosquito population on your property with many methods. We are fully licensed and insured to spray North Carolina-approved larvicide pellets and insecticide mists to kill adult mosquitoes and prevent mosquito larvae from hatching. These services utilize superior products applied in strategic locations to solve the problems, while limiting the exposure of any toxins to your animals. We use products and mists that keep our environment safe while delivering high-class service. 

In addition to finding and eliminating breeding grounds for mosquitoes, our technicians are able to tell homeowners how they can continue to maintain a safe environment. After a mosquito control treatment from Pestech of Greenville, we suggest that horse owners use the following methods to maintain safety and effectiveness until it’s time for their next treatment:

• Remove standing water in farm equipment, buckets, water bowls, etc. 
• Maximize soil drainage around equipment and stables so water doesn’t collect
• Be aware of equine activity especially in the early morning and early evening hours
• Apply permethrin-based insecticide to individual horses
• Use fly sheets to protect horses from being bitten during pasture turnout
• Place fans inside barns or stalls to increase air movement

According to the North Carolina Quarter Horse Association, there are over 300,000 horses in all 100 counties. These horses are housed at over 53,000 households and equine operations. In addition, a study commissioned by the North Carolina General Assembly, found the annual economic impact of the equine industry in North Carolina to be approximately $1.9 billion dollars. Given the importance and economic impact of this industry, Pestech of Greenville wants to encourage owners to do everything they can to prevent these illnesses in their animals.
 
Last year, state officials say there were only two reported cases of EEE in horses in North Carolina. Already this season, with four cases reported, there is added concern to educate horse owners. In a news release from the NCDA&CS, EEE causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord and is usually fatal. Symptoms include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Once a horse is bitten by an infected mosquito, it may take anywhere from three to 10 days for signs of the disease to appear.

People, horses, and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying disease, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit the viruses to other horses, birds, or people through direct contact. There is no vaccine to protect people from EEE, yet people can protect themselves with repellents and by reducing mosquito populations on their properties.

Trust Pestech of Greenville, Inc. for your mosquito control and pest management needs. Give us a call at 252-353-4760 for a free estimate. Your East Coast pest management professionals are honored to serve you, your family, your animals, and your properties.