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Mosquito Control Program

The Floyd County Health Department is dedicated to controlling the mosquito population in our community.

West Nile Virus identified in Floyd County - July 2023

Floyd County Health Department has been notified by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) that they have identified a sample of mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus (WNV) in Floyd County. The positive mosquito sample was collected the week of July 5, 2023, by a representative of the Floyd County Health Department during routine county-wide mosquito sampling. The location of the sample was in New Albany, IN.

Although Floyd County has had positive mosquito samples for several years, this is the first positive sample for 2023.

Most people who become infected with WNV can experience mild illnesses such as fever, headache, and body aches before recovering fully. However, in some individuals, especially the elderly and immune-compromised, WNV can cause serious illness and even death.

Residents of Floyd County should continue to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites by using DEET and other repellants, wearing protective clothing such as long sleeves and pants, and if possible avoiding being outside during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

Homeowners should also be aware of their property and correct common sources of mosquito breeding sites including clogged gutters, old tires, failing septic systems, abandoned/nonfunctional swimming pools, and other water-containing items. Homeowners should also be diligent about maintaining overgrown grass, shrubs, and trees that can harbor mosquitoes during the day.

For more information on Floyd County’s West Nile Virus surveillance program or to file a complaint/concern about a property potentially breeding mosquitoes, please call 812-948-4726, option 2, option 1 to speak to an Environmentalist.

The Floyd County Health Department is utilizing a number of methods to combat the mosquito population. Those methods include the use of mosquito larvicide to prevent mosquito larvae from reaching maturity; partnering with the City of New Albany to provide the use of mosquito pesticides; and cooperating with the community to help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illness.

The Floyd County Health Department is working hard to locate mosquito-borne diseases within the county. We monitor mosquito populations throughout the county on a complaint basis by trapping the mosquitoes and sending them to ISDH labs to test for the presence of West Nile Virus. Once we identify the West Nile virus in an area, the Health Department begins to work to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and educate residents on how they can prevent mosquito infestations.

**If you are experiencing a high number of mosquitoes in your area or believe a property has conditions that are breeding mosquitoes, please call the Floyd County Health Department to report the problem at 812-948-4726, option 2, option 1, or submit a complaint form (provided below)

Please click on the link below to report an Environmental Complaint. The form (as well as pictures) can be emailed to environmental@floydcounty.in.gov, faxed to: (812) 948-2208, mailed to our office, or the completed form can be submitted to the Health Dept office at 1917 Bono Rd, New Albany, IN 47150. The form is provided as a fillable, PDF document.

Click here for an Environmental Complaint Form

You Can Make A Difference

While spraying for mosquitoes is sometimes thought of as the first line of defense against mosquitoes; personal protection and eliminating places where mosquitoes breed are the most effective and healthiest ways of preventing mosquito bites. The more people who are involved, the greater amount of control.

First, protect yourself from bites by using insect repellant or protective clothing. Some repellants may not be safe for children, so always read instructions before using repellants. Protection also means avoiding outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most prevalent - at dusk and dawn.

Second, eliminate mosquitoes at their source (stagnant water). It only takes three to seven days for thousands of mosquitoes to develop in stagnant water.

Below are some helpful suggestions to reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home, apartment, or business:

  • Remove old tires, buckets, or anything that holds standing water, or empty them regularly
  • Reduce runoff of water from sprinkler systems and use additional landscaping to absorb standing water on your property
  • Keep your lawn mowed - mosquitoes typically rest in high grass and weeds
  • Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets
  • Keep rain gutters free of leaves and other debris that can trap water and allow mosquitoes to breed
  • Treat standing water that can't be drained with a larvicide containing Bti, available at home and garden stores.

Diseases Carried by Mosquitoes:

Mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism -- over one million people die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. Not only can mosquitoes carry diseases that afflict humans, but they also transmit several diseases and parasites to dogs and horses. These include dog heartworm, West Nile virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. In addition, bites can cause severe skin irritation through allergic reactions to the mosquito's saliva -- this is what causes the red bumps and itching. Mosquito-carried diseases include protozoan diseases (malaria), filarial diseases (heartworm), and viruses (dengue, encephalitis, and yellow fever).

For additional information, please visit the following websites:

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