NEWS RELEASE:
GALION — This year the Galion City Health Department will continue mosquito control activities in the community using grant funds from the Ohio EPA. The grant program helps local agencies to protect human health from potential mosquito-borne diseases.
From May through October, mosquito surveillance will be conducted by trapping and testing adult mosquitoes for disease such as Zika and West Nile. Traps will be placed in each city park and near standing bodies of water. Residents are asked not to tamper with these traps.
GCHD set traps in 2017 as well. The number of mosquitoes that tested positive for West Nile Virus was 6 out of 50 pooled samples tested by the Ohio Department of Health.
This summer, the city will spray for adult mosquitoes based on results of the surveillance program, which also helps determine high-volume breeding areas for mosquitoes.
GCHD will also once again provide free mosquito dunks to the public to be placed into areas of standing/stagnant water in order to prevent mosquito breeding. The dunks are available at the health department, located at 113 Harding Way East. Health Department staff will be handing out dunks during Third Friday as well.
Residents can help reduce the mosquito population near their homes by removing trash, other waste, and old tires from their yard. This year’s Community Clean Up Day is scheduled for Saturday, June 9. Dumpsters will be available in the parking lot across from the Fire Department. As part of the grant from the Ohio EPA, tires will be accepted.
Other suggestions for reducing mosquitos near your home are:
- Getting rid of anything in the yard that can hold water or regularly emptying items like bird baths and wading pools.
- Keeping gutters clean and unclogged. Be sure your downspouts drain properly, without leaving puddles in the drainage area.
- Keeping swimming pools cleaned and chlorinated, even when not in use.
For more information, contact the Galion City Health Department at 419-468-1075.