Dublin residents can expect spray trucks in the streets tonight, as Franklin County Public Health gears up to treat the city’s central zone after mosquitoes there tested positive for West Nile virus. The targeted operation is set to start after 9 p.m. and is intended to knock down adult mosquito populations in nearby neighborhoods while health agencies across central Ohio ramp up their summer vector control work.
According to a Facebook post yesterday from the city, county crews will conduct a ground adulticide treatment in the central zone tonight, weather permitting. City officials said the move is a standard response to a routine detection in local mosquito traps, per the City of Dublin.
Why They're Spraying
Franklin County Public Health’s mosquito control program sets traps and tests mosquitoes each week throughout the season. A trap in Dublin’s central zone recently came back positive for West Nile, which automatically triggers a focused adulticide treatment in that area, according to Franklin County Public Health. The agency says this targeted approach lets them concentrate spraying where surveillance shows a higher level of risk.
When the Trucks Will Roll
Spraying is scheduled to begin after 9 p.m. today, with crews working their way through Dublin’s central zone, according to the City of Dublin. Residents are likely to see clearly marked spray trucks moving through neighborhoods. Officials are asking people to keep their distance from the vehicles and give crews plenty of room to operate as they move along their routes.
How To Protect Yourself
Health officials say the spray is just one piece of the strategy and are urging residents to cut down on mosquito breeding spots at home. Franklin County Public Health recommends eliminating or covering standing water, fixing leaky outdoor faucets, keeping gutters clear, and frequently changing water in wading pools and pet dishes, per Franklin County Public Health. The agency also advises using EPA-registered insect repellents and wearing long sleeves and long pants during peak mosquito activity at dawn and dusk.
Anyone with questions, or who wants to report mosquito problems, can call the county’s Bite Line at (614) 525-BITE (2483). Residents who prefer not to have their property treated can sign up for the county’s Do Not Spray registry or opt in to email alerts through the spray schedule page.
Where To Learn More
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Fight the Bite campaign outlines who faces higher risk from severe West Nile illness and lists practical prevention steps for families and outdoor workers, according to the CDC. For local trap results, maps, and upcoming spray plans, residents can check Franklin County Public Health’s mosquito information pages or follow updates from the City of Dublin.
