COLUMBIA - The drought may have briefly quieted the buzz from some of South Carolina's most unwelcome guests but recent rains can provide nurseries for tiny, yet persistent, mosquitoes.

"A key factor in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus, is to reduce mosquito breeding grounds," said Sue Ferguson, an environmental health manager with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control's Bureau of Environmental Health.

"Early summer is a great time to reduce mosquito-breeding sites. Look around yards and neighborhoods and eliminate mosquito-breeding sites before mosquitoes set up housekeeping next to you.

"Check your property for lowlying areas and yard items that could hold standing water, which is where mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs," said Ferguson. "Recent periods of rainfall can increase mosquito populations. Detecting and eliminating breeding sites in advance can significantly reduce mosquito populations, which are able to emerge from very small amounts of water if that water is allowed to stagnate.

"People can look for and eliminate typical breeding sites such as stagnant water in low areas, drainage ditches, tires, buckets, gutters, boats, flower pots or any outdoor water-holding containers. People should pay particular attention to those areas and keep them dry. It is important to support local mosquito prevention and control efforts, and mosquito awareness week is a fine time to get into the habit."

Other items to check:

. Make sure screens on windows and doors are in good repair.

. Clean fallen leaves and other debris out of gutters and spouting.

. Keep birdbaths and pet bowls clean. Flush with clear water and clean out at least once per week.

. Stock ornamental ponds with minnows. Use appropriately labeled products to control mosquito larvae.

. Do not let water stand on swimming pool covers or other tarps covering outdoor items, such as woodpiles, boats, etc.

. Trim and maintain shrubs and grass.

In addition to preventing mosquitoes from breeding, Ferguson said people should practice personal protection measures to avoid mosquito bites:

. Stay inside at dawn, dusk and early evening when mosquitoes are most active.

. If you must be outside during these times, wear longsleeved shirts and pants.

. Use appropriate insect repellents according to label directions.

"It is important to learn how to avoid mosquito bites to reduce our chances of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases, as well as to conduct mosquito prevention and control efforts year-round, but especially so during summer and fall," said Dr. Lena Bretous, epidemiologist for vectorborne diseases with DHEC's Bureau of Disease Control.