While we never want to be alarmists, there is a new health alert for the Cincinnati region that we want to make sure you are aware of. West Nile virus in Ohio is a growing concern.
At the time this blog article was written and posted (in August 2024), there was an alert from the Cincinnati Health Department that urged residents to protect themselves as West Nile virus had been detected in mosquitoes in the area.
In this article, we will provide practical advice on how you can protect your families from West Nile in Cincinnati.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States. It is a potential threat during the entire mosquito season (spring to early fall).
West Nile in Ohio is not a brand new concern. The virus was first identified in Ohio in 2001. However, every year the local health counties keep a watchful eye and perform ongoing testing to determine whether the virus has returned to the area and how widespread it is. This is accomplished by testing mosquito samples.
In 2023, Cincinnati reported 31 mosquito pools which was much higher than the usual average of 3 positive pools per year. Local health officials are continuing to closely monitor the situation this year.
In the meantime, they do urge local residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. While West Nile is the most common virus transmitted by mosquitoes, it’s not the only one. These pests can also carry and transmit Eastern equine encephalitis virus, La Crosse virus, Zika virus, Dengue, Malaria, and Yellow Fever.
If you’ve spent time on our blog before, then you know we frequently share information about how to keep mosquitoes out of your yard. We understand the severity of this threat and we want local homeowners to still feel as though they can enjoy their time outside.
Here are some important steps you can take to protect against West Nile in Ohio.
To keep mosquitoes out of your yard, one of the first steps that you should take is getting rid of standing water.
Since water is necessary for mosquito larvae to transform into adults, eliminating standing water is important. Mosquito larvae feed on organic matter in stagnant water so any water that is not moving could become a prime location for mosquitoes.
Just to give you an idea, some common areas of standing water on many homeowners’ properties include:
When water becomes stagnant because it is sitting for a long period of time, it can become a mosquito breeding ground. Water that is flowing (like a water feature or a pool) won’t pose a problem.
If you have desired areas of standing water on your property like ponds and bird baths, you can use mosquito “dunks” to treat these areas that you do not want to dump.
Cutting back overgrowth and maintaining a neat and tidy property can also play a role in reducing the mosquito population around your yard.
Mosquitoes love to hide and they’ll often seek shelter in tall grasses, shrubbery, or even around wood piles. To try and reduce your mosquito population, you must think about reducing their hang-out spots.
Keep your lawn regularly mowed and keep shrubs neatly trimmed. Clear any debris that might be in your yard or landscape. Also, if you cover your wood pile with a tarp, be sure to keep it pulled tight to prevent water from pooling.
Professional mosquito control is going to be one of the most effective steps that you can take to reduce the number of mosquitoes living on your property. This is because mosquito control targets the areas where mosquitoes are going to rest during flight.
Most people don’t realize that mosquitoes are actually very weak flyers and do not stay in flight for long distances. They have to land and rest often.
A mosquito will not just fly into your property from another lawn and head directly to you and your family. The truth is, they’ll land multiple times before they reach you. This is where mosquito control will help protect you.
While you can get rid of as many areas of standing water as you can on your property, a neighboring yard might still have an issue and those mosquitoes could eventually make their way over. But a professional mosquito control product will take care of them when they stop to rest.
Making an effort to dramatically reduce the population of mosquitoes on your property will help you be able to spend more time outside without worrying. But remain diligent, particularly when spending time in prime mosquito habitats like on trails or in the woods.
West Nile virus in Cincinnati is likely to be an ongoing concern this season. The Cincinnati Health Department recommends wearing mosquito-protective clothing (like long sleeves) and using repellent products when spending time in potential mosquito habitats.
We understand that mosquitoes are a major source of stress. But professional mosquito control can help you enjoy more time outside.
By choosing wisely when it comes to mosquito control, you can stop worrying and start enjoying your backyard. A company that takes a customized and thorough approach to treatment will give you the peace of mind you deserve.
Take back your backyard! Learn more about how Oasis Turf & Tree can help you get rid of unwanted mosquitoes on your property in either Cincinnati, Dayton, or Northern Kentucky by requesting a free estimate.
Image Source: puddle in grass