As mosquito season ramps up, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments are urging residents to take precautions during National Mosquito Control Awareness Week from June 15th to 21st, 2025. Recent testing in the two counties has detected West Nile Virus in local mosquito populations, increasing public health concerns. Residents are encouraged to follow the three “R’s”: reduce standing water, repel with effective insect repellents and protective clothing, and report stagnant water sites to authorities. Actions like cleaning gutters, covering rain barrels, and regularly emptying bird baths can significantly lower mosquito breeding and protect community health.
The Culex mosquito, a common West Nile virus carrier, thrives in artificial containers with standing water. To prevent breeding, residents should discard unnecessary containers, cover water storage, and maintain cleanliness in gutters and spouts.
The Health Department urges area residents to take the following steps to eliminate mosquito breeding sites:
- Discard all useless containers such as tin cans, tires, and stack buckets upside down when empty.
- Turn boats and canoes down when not in use.
- Don’t allow water to stand in low areas for more than one week; add small amounts of fuel oil each week to standing pools of water that can’t be drained.
- Empty and clean wading pools and bird baths once a week.
- Drain all livestock tanks once a week.
- Cover rain barrels and cisterns with mesh wire screening.
- Puncture holes in the bottom of the tire swings to drain accumulated water.
- Clean out gutters and spouts of accumulated debris.
- Repair or replace screening on doors and windows with appropriate mesh.
For more information on West Nile Virus or Mosquito Control Measures, call the Health Department at 309-852-0197, visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com, or on Facebook, Instagram, or X (Twitter).