Mosquitoes

Rains combined with warm weather make conditions favorable for mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes can breed in any standing water if it lasts at least seven days.

“Our main focus is to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease,” Joe Harrod, Director of Environmental Health, said.

Mosquitoes Facts

Mosquitoes can live indoors and outdoors, and some species bite during the day while others bite at dusk and dawn.

Below are some tips to avoid mosquito bites and prevent mosquito-borne diseases:

  • If you are outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, be sure to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes, and socks.
  • Wear light-colored clothing, which is less attractive to mosquitoes.
  • Use EPA-registered mosquito repellent and apply according to the label directions.
  • Wear clothing and gear treated with repellent.
  • Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of your home.

Ohio Vectorborne Disease Surveillance Update

A comprehensive yearly review of the Richland Public Health Vector Control Program

Preventing Mosquito Bites

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, which includes puddles, stagnant ditches, and containers such as old tires, buckets, cans, neglected swimming pools and flower pots. Mosquitoes can carry diseases, including West Nile Virus, which can cause serious illness. It is important to apply mosquito repellent when participating in any outdoor activity when mosquitoes are active.

  • Richland Public Health recommends following these tips to help avoid mosquito bites:
  •  Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.
  • Repair or replace all torn screens in your home.
  • Remove all discarded tires from your property.
  • Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water-holding containers.
  • Make sure roof gutters drain properly. Clean clogged gutters in the Spring and Fall.
  • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs. If not in use, keep pools/saunas empty and covered.
  • Drain water from pool covers.
  • Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week.
  • Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows, etc. when not in use.
  • Clean ditches of obstructions so they drain properly.
  • Eliminate any standing water that collects on your property.
  • Check trees for cavities that hold water and fill them with soil, gravel, or sand.
  • Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties.
  • Use insect repellent and follow the label directions.

What Are the Symptoms of West Nile virus? 

  • Serious Symptoms in a Few People. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.
  • Milder Symptoms in Some People. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks.
  • No Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.
  • Anyone bitten by an infected mosquito could become ill. Children under age 16 are at greater risk of infection for La Crosse encephalitis.  Symptoms for La Crosse encephalitis are similar to those above but children under age 16 are more likely to develop severe illness. Symptoms may occur five to 15 days after a bite.

For additional  information on mosquitoes you can also call Environmental Health at 419-774-4520.

Link to the Ohio Department of Health information page on mosquitoes. Lots of links and downloadable information here.

Educational Resources

Fight the Bite Brochure
Prevent Mosquito Breeding Around the Home
Mosquito Bites are Bad! (coloring book)
Find the Repellent that is Right for YOU

Questions or Comments

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