ODESSA – Pasco County Mosquito Control District is rolling out a campaign to rid neighborhoods of discarded tires, which are ideal breeding habitats for species that can transmit viruses.
Rainwater collects in tires, which creates the perfect home for Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Once water gets into tires, it does not drain. This wet, hidden environment helps mosquitoes complete their life cycle to become adults that bite people and animals with the potential to spread life-altering diseases.
The district is partnering with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County on Free Tire Drop-Off Week.
Pasco County residents can drop off used tires at the Pasco County Mosquito Control District, 2308 Marathon Road, Odessa. Additional drop-off locations include:
- March 16, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., John S. Burke Memorial Park, 13220 Jean Nelson Road, Dade City.
- March 17, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Samuel Pasco Recreational Complex, 9835 Chancy Road, Zephyrhills.
- March 18, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Land O’ Lakes Recreational Center, 3032 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes.
- March 19, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson.
- March 20, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Moon Lake Park, 8985 Lake Drive, New Port Richey.
“We are proud to offer this valuable service to our community,” said Adriane Rogers, executive director of the Pasco County Mosquito Control District. “By disposing of tires, we’re directly helping to reduce mosquito production sites, which in turn helps protect the health of our residents from mosquito-borne diseases. Every tire we remove brings us one step closer to a safer, healthier Pasco County.”
Residents can bring up to 24 car tires each, without rims and free of debris, to the event. Pasco County Mosquito Control District will dispose of the tires at no cost to residents. Only on-road vehicle tires will be accepted at this event.
The district also encourages residents to dump out any standing water around their homes and businesses.
Don’t get bit
Pasco County Mosquito Control District encourages residents to take preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites, including:
- Using US EPA-approved insect repellent that contains DEET or picaridin.
- Wearing long sleeves and pants when spending time outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk when most mosquito species are most active. However, dengue mosquito vectors are also active during the day.
- Eliminating standing water around homes, as it serves as mosquito breeding habitat.
- Installing or repairing window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
On the web: pascomosquito.org
