Environmental Health
Mosquito Control Program
Knox County Health Department operates a mosquito control program from April through November each mosquito season. Knox County strives to help improve the quality of life of the citizens of Knox County by reducing the public health threat and nuisance caused by mosquitoes.
Knox County offers a broad spectrum of services to help control mosquitoes. Educating the public regarding mosquito control and how to help reduce the incidence of mosquito bites is very important.
Mosquito Control employees are available to conduct meetings for homeowner associations, community and civic groups, health fairs or any group interested in learning about mosquito control.
INFORMATION PAMPHLETS AVAILABLE:
The following pamphlets are available by contacting the Health Department or for viewing at this site.
- How To Control Mosquitoes Around Your Home
- Public Health Fact Sheet-Insect Bites
- Insect Repellants
- West Nile Virus Fact Sheet
Environmental investigations are conducted in response to complaints filed with the Health Department. Mosquito Control Technicians investigate the complaint to determine if mosquito breeding is occurring. If breeding is occurring a plan is developed and implemented to correct the complaint. The mosquito-breeding site could be removed or an environmentally safe product is applied to the water, which controls the mosquito breeding.
Surveillance is used to determine the species and number of mosquitoes in different locations throughout Knox County and is utilized to determine spraying thresholds.
To help control the adult mosquito population, Knox County has a spraying program. This helps reduce the public health threat of mosquito diseases and the nuisance that mosquitoes cause. The spraying occurs from 12:00 am until 6:00 am Monday through Friday. An environmentally safe contact pesticide is utilized, and every precaution is taken to ensure safe application.
The spraying schedule is updated daily to insure public notification of when specific areas are to be sprayed.
Each citizen can help control mosquitoes on their property and in their community by conducting surveys to determine standing water sources. Removing items that can retain water will help reduce the mosquito population. Old tires, buckets, cans, wading pools, unattended birdbaths, wheelbarrows, gutters and ornamental ponds can be sources for mosquito breeding. Shrubs, trees and lawns need to be trimmed and mowed on a regular schedule to help reduce areas where adult mosquitoes can go and rest. The trees and shrubs can also be sprayed with Malathion or Sevin, which can be purchased at hardware stores, to help reduce the adult mosquito population. (Always apply chemicals according to label)
