GALION―Due to the high levels of rainfall, Trish Factor, Health Commissioner at the Galion City Health Department, is warning residents of an increase in the number of mosquitoes.
“It’s safe to assume that this year will be a good one for mosquitoes and a bad one for people who like to spend time outside,” said Factor.
Mosquitoes can breed in water sources as small as a bottle cap.
“If you remove those water sources, you can prevent a lot of mosquitoes,” she said.
Factor suggests that water be emptied from stagnant sites- like bird baths- a couple of times a week to prevent breeding by the insects.
It is suggested that emptying water sources this year could be particularly difficult because of the wet weather, according to public health officials.
“Not everyone understands that mosquito bites can make you pretty sick,” Factor said, listing off the potential for mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile Virus and Zika.
Zika, which is much more common in warmer regions, can cause serious birth defects in children.
“Be aware when you are traveling,” Factor said.
“The intent of the education is to remind to residents how to keep their property from becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes,” said Andrea Barnes, Director of Environmental Health at the Galion City Health Department.
Mosquitoes are an all too familiar part of summer. They are not only annoying, but they present a potential health risk as carriers of disease.
Eliminating mosquito habitats around your home can go a long way to reduce the mosquito population. Eliminate standing water whenever possible: every couple days, bird baths and baby pools should be emptied to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.
The Galion City Health Department has mosquito dunks available to Galion City residents and businesses to place in sources of standing water. The dunks prevent mosquito larvae growth. It is also recommended to wear EPA-registered mosquito repellents when you are outside, wear long, loose, light-colored clothing, and install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside of your home. Also, get rid of potential mosquito breeding sites around your yard by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths.
The Galion City Health Department was recently awarded $14,550 from the Ohio EPA to help with mosquito control activities. The money will be spent on education of the public, source reduction, surveillance of the local mosquito population, and other activities. The grant program helps local agencies to protect human health from potential mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika and West Nile.