Fight the Bite: Protecting Holmes County from Mosquito-Borne Illness
September 4, 2025
Submitted by: Jennifer Talkington, MPH
Holmes County Health Department
Fight the Bite: Protecting Holmes County from Mosquito-Borne Illness
In recent weeks, Holmes County has seen a dramatic increase in mosquito-borne illnesses, particularly LaCrosse virus. While this disease may not always make headlines like West Nile or Zika, its impact can be serious—especially for children. Symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and, in severe cases, swelling of the brain. With mosquito activity on the rise, now is the time for our community to take action to protect ourselves and our families.
The good news is that prevention is possible. The simplest and most effective way to avoid mosquito-borne illness is to prevent mosquito bites in the first place. A few key steps can go a long way:
• Use insect repellent. If you’re spending time outside, especially in the early morning or evening, use an EPA-approved mosquito spray with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Par-menthane-diol (PMD), or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Wear protective clothing. Long sleeves and pants are a simple way to keep mosquitoes from biting. Light-colored clothing is best. Treat clothing and gear with permethrin, an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitos.
• Dump standing water. Mosquitoes breed in small amounts of water—old tires, flowerpots, birdbaths, even clogged gutters. Take a few minutes each week to look around your yard and empty anything holding water.
• Keep them out. Check your window and door screens for holes.
Holmes County has always prided itself on neighbors looking out for one another. Now is the time to show that same care by practicing and promoting mosquito prevention. Protecting our health starts in our own backyards—and the choices we make today will help safeguard the well-being of our families tomorrow.
For additional information on protecting yourselves from mosquito bites, please contact the Holmes County Health Department at 330-674-5035 or info@holmeshealth.org