PUBLIC NOTICE: Addressing Misinformation and Concerns About Mosquito Spraying

The treatment for mosquitoes was unable to be completed the morning of August 26, 2024, due to an equipment malfunction. Our team intends to treat later this week. We will keep you informed of the date as soon as it becomes available.

We also want to address some concerns and some misinformation being shared. We are NOT spraying weed killer throughout the county but are using an organic adulticide (pesticide) that is safe when it is applied according to procedures approved by Ohio EPA and US EPA. We are treating areas known to have a high concentration of mosquitoes that can carry West Nile Virus or other diseases. Our team is treating those specific areas as mentioned in our press release and on our social posts.

The organic treatment used for mosquito mitigation is called Merus® and is made of chrysanthemums. The droplets of spray are so tiny that they affect mosquitoes and insects smaller than them. We also work very closely with the beekeepers throughout the county so we can avoid spraying near the hives. Additionally, bees are not typically active during the times that treatment occurs. The treatment also does not affect vegetable gardens, flowers, pets, or humans. The EPA-approved spray is rendered inactive just a few minutes after application, even faster in sunlight. Our team conducts these treatments in the very early morning (4-7am) or after sunset (9-11pm) and we cease spraying an area if there are people or pets nearby.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a virus most commonly spread by infected mosquitoes that can lead to severe fever, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord).  The primary carrier in Ohio is the northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens.  Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to humans and other animals when they bite. In some cases, the virus can be deadly to humans.

An average of 58 human cases of West Nile virus infection are reported each year in Ohio. In 2012, a surge in West Nile virus spread resulted in 122 human cases of West Nile and 7 deaths in Ohio. In 2022, Ohio recorded 13 cases and one death from West Nile disease. More information on West Nile Virus (including case maps and historic data) can be found here.

It has also been suggested that we consider increasing the bat population to help control the mosquitoes. This would fall under the jurisdiction of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and/or the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Bats also carry diseases, including rabies. Recently we had a specimen that tested positive for rabies in Greene County.

As always, the public can reach out to our team for further information by calling 937-374-5607 or email mosquitoteam@gcph.info.