The Fort Wayne Allen County Department of Health

Director: David Fiess, MPA, REHS • Phone: (260) 449-7459 • FAX: (260) 449-7460 • Email: dave.fiess@co.allen.in.us
Location: 2242 Carroll Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46818 • Hours: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
Meet the Staff: Tom McCue, REHS, Asst. Director; Francis Koch, Env.Technician; Pat De Haven, Secretary; Seasonal Mosquito Technicians

Mosquitoes - Prevention & Control

WHAT CAN THE PUBLIC DO TO PREVENT & CONTROL MOSQUITOES?

All mosquitoes require standing water (at a minimum of 1/4 inches deep) for the first three stages of development. Consequently, the elimination of any vessel capable of holding water for extended periods of time is essential.

Check your property for breeding sites. Report any standing water to the Vector Control and Environmental Services Division.
Clean out leaves and debris from clogged gutters.
Do not allow tires to accumulate outside.
Flush out birdbaths once a week. Empty or turn over wading pools when not in use.
Dispose of containers, trays, and can that can hold water.
Cover or store canoes and boats upside down.
Maintain backyard swimming pools and spas to discourage the development of mosquitoes. If not going to use the pool, then place a cover over the pool and pitch it in the middle so the cover will not collect leaves and rain water.
Aerate ornamental ponds and water gardens. Contact the Vector Control and Environmental Services Division for mosquito-eating fish to place in the ponds.
Limit time spent outdoors during peak mosquito biting times.
Wear loose, light-colored, long sleeves and pants.
Use a repellant that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535. Repellants can be used on children, 2 months and older, but check the label before applying.
Mix 2 tablespoons of malathion with a gallon of water. Spray this under bushes and high weeds. The mixture will kill adult mosquitoes resting on leaves and branches. There are also other barrier sprays that can be used.
Purchase a hand-fogger to use when working outside or having a backyard party.

Prevention & Control Information

Repellant Information

Biological Control

Biological control requires introducing a natural predator into the habitat of the mosquito. Dragonflies, praying mantids, bats, and purple martins have been promoted as natural controls, but have not shown the ability to significantly reduce mosquito populations.

Gambusia affinis, also known as "mosquitofish", are a top-feeding guppie that offer excellant control of larvae and pupae in ornamental ponds and backyard garden pools. These fish have upturned mouths and work along the surface, feeding on mosquito larvae and other small invertebrates. They are somewhat tolerant of organic pollution and reproduce rapidly.

Since the fish will interfere with the life cycle of other aquatic organisms around them, certain restrictions apply as to where they can be used. In general, they cannot be placed in an area, such as rivers, creeks, ditches, and lakes, where they will interfere with any Indiana game fish.

If you are interested in acquiring "mosquitofish" for your backyard pond, contact the Vector Control and Environmental Services Division.

Mosquito Fish Fact Sheet

HOW DOES THE VECTOR CONTROL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE DIVISION CONTROL THE MOSQUITOES?

Arboviral Surveillance and Control Plan

Larval Control

The Division inspects and treats mosquito breeding sites identified by the public. Employees also inspect and treat known permanent breeding sites throughout Allen County. The products used to control the mosquitoes in the water are EPA-approved and environmentally-friendly.

Adult Control

When West Nile virus-positive adult mosquitoes are identified in traps that are set throughout Allen County, the Division responds by spraying a half-mile radius area around the traps with an EPA-approved adulticide to reduce the numbers of mosquitoes that could be carrying the virus. The spraying occurs at night, when the temperature is above 55° F, and the wind speed is between 1 to 10 miles per hour.

If you wish to receive an email notification whenever spraying is to occur, sign up here.

Sanitation/Code Enforcement

The Culex species, capable of transmitting West Nile virus, like to breed in tires, containers, and un-maintained swimming pools. Aedes triseriatus, carrier of LaCrosse Encephalitis, prefers to breed in treeholes or containers. Tenants and homeowners are provided with a warning to remove containers and tires or maintain their pools to prevent mosquito breeding. If the violations are not resolved, then legal action will occur.