Mosquitoes breed in roadside ditches, farmers’ fields, suburban backyards and anywhere water is stagnant after a rain. Five to six days after a heavy rain, a new generation of mosquitoes emerges. They use prevailing winds to fly up to 50 miles to look for a meal. During the day, they rest in woods or any spot where they will not be disturbed and then come out at dusk to feed.
The Village does not spray for mosquito control as spraying only kills the adults flying at the time of the spraying and may also kill other non-target insects, such as ladybugs, butterflies, and bees flying at the time of the spraying.; however, residents are encouraged to eliminate larvae breeding areas on their property by removing local opportunities for larvae to hatch. Residents should police their yards for any standing water, paying particular attention to: gutters with standing water in them, buckets of rain water, wading pools, margarine tubs, plastic kids’ toys, tarps covering something, boats, tires, and holes in trees that collect water.
The Village does participate in the Franklin County Board of Health’s Integrated Mosquito Management Plan and permits spraying by the County should it deem spraying necessary. When done properly, spraying for mosquitoes is an effective way to reduce the number of mosquitoes and to reduce your risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases.
In order to be effective, spraying must coincide with the time of day mosquitoes are most active. For the mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus, that means spraying around dusk or in the early morning. The Franklin County Board of Health employs licensed pesticide applicators and
trained service persons to apply pesticides intended specifically for mosquito control. The pesticides are registered with the U.S. EPA and the Ohio Department of Agriculture and are applied according to the manufacturers’ label, and federal and state laws.
The Franklin County Board of Health uses ultra-low-volume (ULV) spray machines that are computer controlled and calibrated to apply extremely small amounts of pesticide over large areas. In a typical application, they use about one teaspoon of active ingredient per acre.
With the same amount of pesticide in one can of Raid® Yard Guard Outdoor Fogger, the Franklin County Board of Health can treat 29.7 acres using ULV technology.
The pesticides used by the Franklin County Board of Health do not persist in the environment; they break down within hours, are destroyed rapidly by light and will decompose when exposed to air. The morning after an application, the amount of residual pesticide on exterior surfaces will be negligible. To greatly reduce your exposure during spraying, you can
take the following precautionary steps:
- Check the Franklin County Board of Health’s website for notices about spraying in your area.
- Remain indoors with windows closed when spraying is taking place.
- Bring laundry and toys indoors before spraying begins.
- Bring your pets indoors, and turn aerators in ornamental fishponds to avoid direct exposure.
- Cover outdoor tables and play equipment or rinse them off after spraying is finished.
- Wash with soap and water if you come in contact with pesticides.
- Wash any exposed fruits and vegetables with water before storing, cooking or eating.
- Wait about one hour before allowing children to play in areas that have been sprayed.
- For your safety and the safety of the operators, do not approach or follow a spray truck when it is operating. If you are in a vehicle, please try to find an alternate route.
There is no need to relocate during spraying. Consult your physician if you have specific medical concerns regarding the spraying. The Franklin County Board of Health maintains a Do Not Spray registry of residents who request a limited shut-off of the pesticide as our truck mounted sprayers pass their property. The Franklin County Board of Health will make a good faith effort to shut off truck-mounted ULV equipment within 150 feet of a registered property. This registry will be rendered inactive if the Health Commissioner declares a public health emergency where treatment is indicated. In the event of a public health emergency or aerial application, the Franklin County Board of Health will attempt to telephone members of the registry prior to treatment of their property.
The Do Not Spray requests are considered public information and the Franklin County\ Board of Health may notify neighbors as to why part of their neighborhood is not being treated. As part of its public notification process, a list of Do Not Spray locations may be posted on the Franklin County Board of Health’s website or made available by other means, and the Do Not Spray locations may be indicated or published on internet treatment maps.
Each request is valid for the current calendar year only. For details about or to sign up for the Franklin County Board of Health Do Not Spray registry, visit www.franklincountyohio.gov/health. If you are unable to print out the form, call the office at 614-462-BITE to request a form and a form will be mailed to you.
If you have questions, want to report a complaint or need additional information about mosquitoes, call the Franklin County Board of Health’s Mosquito Bite Line at 614-462-BITE (614-462-2483) and leave a message; your call will be returned. You can also visit www.franklincountyohio.gov/health.