With more and more cases of Zika, West Nile and even Malaria being reported, mosquitoes have become more than just a backyard nuisance. To help protect the health and safety of Medina County residents, we begin closely watching and controlling the mosquito population with the onset of warm rainy weather, sometimes as early as May.

Mosquito surveillance results- Mosquito trapping results by the Medina County Health Department in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health can be viewed on the Ohio Vectorborne Disease Surveillance website.

Mosquito Control In Medina County

Along with pesticides and traps, we also use an environmentally friendly larvicide that kills mosquitos before they are able to breed and lay eggs. Large tablets are placed at the bottom of catch basins and remain there for up to 180 days, slowly releasing larvicide throughout the summer.

Road Ditches, Storm Sewers and Catch Basins

We treat approximately 52 miles of road ditches throughout the county along with the storms sewers and catch basins in the county’s three cities and five villages. Private and public properties with wetlands, woodland pools, or retention ponds are also part of our treatment plan.

How You Can Help Control Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can breed in as little as one inch of standing water, which means there are probably plenty of places around your yard that would make for the perfect breeding ground. Here are a few tips that can help reduce the number of mosquitoes and diseases they carry.

  • Get rid of cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or any type of container that could hold water. Don’t forget any that may be covered up with grass, weeds or wild brush.
  • Remove solid waste and scrap tires from your property. Stagnant water in discarded tires is an ideal site for mosquitoes to breed.
  • Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows.
  • Drill holes in the bottom of garbage bins that left outdoors and in tires used for swings, barriers or exercises.
  • Fill low-lying areas in your yard where water may collect. Mosquitoes will develop in any puddle that lasts for more than four days.
  • Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens become mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. Mosquitoes can even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool and hot tub covers.
  • Clean birdbaths weekly. Be sure to scrub the basin to remove any possible eggs.
  • Clean clogged roof gutters every year. Roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
  • Remember to empty any water that is caught in tarps used to cover children’s’ toys, wood, cars, and boats.

Avoid Mosquito Bites

  • Wear light colored clothing, long-sleeved shirts or jackets and long slacks.
  • Avoid mosquito-infested areas or stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active (Many mosquitoes are most active two to three hours before and after dusk and again at dawn when the air is calm. However, some species will feed at any time of the day.)
  • Avoid physical activity and use colognes and perfumes sparingly as these may attract mosquitoes.
  • Use EPA-registered insect repellent.
  • Put size 16 mesh screens on all doors and windows and keep them in good repair.
  • Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.

If you are planning to travel outside the United States, contact our  Health Center for information on our Travel Clinic at 330-723-9688, option 1 for information about protecting yourself against mosquito borne diseases while outside the country.

Need more information about mosquito control in Medina County?

Contact us at 330-723-9688, option 3.