Health Officials offer tips to avoid Mosquito bites during National Mosquito Control Awareness Week

Mosquito season is here, and the Henry and Stark County Health Departments are urging residents to take action during National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, June 21st through 27th. Health officials say mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile Virus, remain a concern, and prevention starts at home. Residents are encouraged to follow the three R’s: reduce standing water, repel mosquitoes with proper clothing and EPA-approved repellents, and report stagnant water that lasts more than a week.

Health officials are urging residents to step up mosquito prevention as illnesses like West Nile virus continue to rise across the U.S. While Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya remain concerns, the mosquito most tied to West Nile—the Culex—can breed quickly in standing water around homes.

Residents are asked to dump or cover anything that holds water for more than a few days, including cans, tires, buckets, bird baths, wading pools, rain barrels, gutters, and livestock tanks. Boats and canoes should be turned over when not in use, and window and door screens should be repaired to help keep mosquitoes outside.

Common breeding spots include bird baths, gutters, old tires, buckets, and wading pools. For details, call the Health Department at 309-852-0197 or visit henrystarkhealth.com.