The City of Canal Winchester has contracted with Franklin County Public Health for mosquito control in 2016. Franklin County Public Health uses an Integrated Pest Management approach with a public health focus to reduce and control disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Many tools and techniques are used throughout the mosquito season to help control the mosquito population. These include:
1) Larviciding areas of stagnant water and storm water catch basins to prevent mosquitoes from hatching in these prime breeding sites.
2) Surveillance of adult mosquito populations by the use of traps.
3) Testing of adult mosquitoes for the presence of disease.
4) Adulticiding (spraying) using Ultra Low Volume (ULV) truck mounted equipment to treat residential areas to reduce adult mosquito populations.
5) A variety of educational materials and awareness approaches.
In addition, historical data about mosquito breeding locations, areas that traditionally have high adult mosquito populations, and the frequency and distribution of mosquito-borne diseases throughout Franklin County also allow us to concentrate and focus our efforts. We also rely on residents to report areas that they suspect may be mosquito breeding areas and/or when there is an increase in adult mosquito activity.
Detailed information about the mosquito program and a form to request service or report an area of concern is available on the Franklin County Public Health web site. Visit www.myfcph.org or call Franklin County Public Health’s Mosquito Bite Line at (614)525-BITE (2483).
Did You Know...
A single water-filled bucket can produce hundreds of biting mosquitoes.
• Most disease-causing mosquitoes spend their entire lives near their container-breeding site.
• While the adult mosquito’s life expectancy is not usually more than a few weeks, the female may lay several batches of eggs each containing several hundred eggs during its life.
What can you do?
Take a few minutes to go outside and look around your yard. Anything that holds water could be a potential breeding site for mosquitoes. It doesn’t take much water and it doesn’t take much time. Why raise mosquitoes in your own back yard? Dump those containers; turn them upside down; or better yet put them inside your garage or basement. It is such a simple, but very effective way, to protect your family from mosquito-borne diseases like encephalitis and West Nile virus.
To report an area of concern or to learn more about the mosquito program visit www.myfcph.org or call Franklin County Public Health’s Mosquito Bite Line at (614)525-BITE (2483).