A mosquito sample collected at Susan Hambley Nature Center in Brunswick has tested positive for West Nile Virus — but no human cases have been reported.
The Health Department reminds everyone to take simple precautions: use bug spray, wear long sleeves at dawn and dusk, and eliminate standing water around your home where mosquitoes breed.
Crews are actively treating public areas across the county with safe, eco-friendly methods — and even wetlands help out, as native species feed on mosquito larvae.
The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites:
• When outdoors, use repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, some oil of lemon eucalyptus or para menthane-diol. Follow the directions on the package.
• Many mosquitos are most active from dusk to dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times, or consider staying indoors during these hours.
• Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets, and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.
For more tips and info, visit the Medina County Health Department online.
