'12 types spread germs': Ohio EPA grants aim to reduce spread of mosquito-borne illnesses

Zach Tuggle, Mansfield News Journal
·3 min read

If April showers bring May flowers, then May rains must bring June mosquitoes.

The Ohio EPA has announced more than $1 million in grants to control the pesky insects.

Grants will be shared among health departments in 47 Ohio counties, according to the state EPA.

The money will help mitigate the spread of mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile, La Crosse Encephalitis and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Mosquitoes are breeding rampantly in North Central Ohio after large amounts of rainfall.
Mosquitoes are breeding rampantly in North Central Ohio after large amounts of rainfall.

"The grants go directly into funding education and outreach efforts in communities, and equipment that helps to prevent and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds to protect Ohioans from serious mosquito-borne illnesses," Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel said in a news release.

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Will my county get mosquito grants from the Ohio EPA?

Several local health departments will receive mosquito-control funding through the Ohio EPA:

  • Ashland County Health Department — $25,000

  • Richland Public Health in Richland County — $24,997

  • Galion City Health Department in Crawford County — $13,028

  • Ottawa County Health Department — $14,095

  • Erie County Health Department — $17,567

  • Sandusky County Public Health — $24,982

  • Seneca County Health District — $18,155

  • Medina County Health Department — $25,000

  • Stark County Health Department — $23,563

What is the most dangerous animal in the world?

Mosquitoes are considered to be the deadliest animal in the world.

The slender insects with wings and bloodsucking probosces are responsible for at least 750,000 human deaths annually worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. People kill 475,000 other people each year, snakes 50,000, dogs 25,000 and crocodiles 1,000, the organization reports.

Mosquitoes are more than just pesky, since they "can spread viruses like West Nile, dengue, Zika, and parasites like malaria," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mosquitoes are the world's deadliest animal.
Mosquitoes are the world's deadliest animal.

Those that simply bite people are considered nuisance mosquitoes.

"Nuisance mosquitoes bite people, but don't spread germs," the CDC warns. "Of the over 200 types of mosquitoes in the United States and U.S. territories, about 12 types spread germs."

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What is the best mosquito control?

One of the best ways to protect against mosquito bites is to help rid backyards and other areas of their habitat.

Birdbaths, tires and buckets containing standing water are the most common places for the insects to grow their offspring.

Wheelbarrows and small pools can be turned over when not in use so they cannot collect water. Tin cans, pots and other small containers should be thrown away so standing water doesn't collect in them. Gutters should be cleaned, as standing water there offers excellent mosquito breeding grounds.

Unused tires, like these found outside a barn in Galion, should be emptied of standing water at least once a week to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in them, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Unused tires, like these found outside a barn in Galion, should be emptied of standing water at least once a week to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in them, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pools, hot tubs and saunas should all be chlorinated appropriately to eliminate any mosquito eggs or larvae.

Many of the remaining mosquitoes that humans cannot eliminate will likely be eaten. In their larval stage, mosquitoes are considered delicacies by salamanders and dragonflies.

ztuggle@gannett.com

419-564-3508

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Ohio EPA grants will help control mosquito-born viruses across Ohio