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Mosquito Control Program

The Floyd County Health Department is dedicated to controlling the mosquito population in our community.  

Summer Mosquito Trapping Begins June 1st 2021

June 1st we will begin our annual summer mosquito trapping program. Mosquitoes trapped will be tested for viruses such as West Nile Virus. We use a CDC Gravid trap, which on average catches around 70 per night. The traps are set up for up to 4 nights. If you are interested in participating in this program please call the Environmental Department, 812-948-4726 x2,1

The Floyd County Health Department is utilizing a number of methods to combat the mosquito population. Those methods include the use of mosquito larvicide to prevent mosquito larvae from reaching maturity; partnering with the City of New Albany to provide the use of mosquito pesticides; and by cooperating with the community to help prevent the spread of mosquito borne illness. 

The Floyd County Health Department is working hard to locate mosquito-borne diseases within the county.  We monitor mosquito populations throughout the county on a complaint basis through trapping the mosquitoes and sending to ISDH labs to test for the presence of West Nile Virus.  Once we identify West Nile virus in an area, the Health Department begins to work to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and educate residents on how they can prevent mosquito infestations.

**If you are experiencing a high number of mosquitoes in your area or believe a property has conditions that are breeding mosquitoes, please call the Floyd County Health Department to report the problem at 812-948-4726, option 2, option 1 or submit a complaint form (provided below)

Please click on the link below to report an Environmental Complaint. The form (as well as pictures) can be emailed to [email protected], faxed to: (812) 948-2208, mailed to our office, or the completed form can be submitted to the Health Dept office at 1917 Bono Rd, New Albany, IN 47150. The form is provided as a fillable, PDF document.

Click here for an Environmental Complaint Form

You Can Make A Difference

While spraying for mosquitoes is sometimes thought of as the first line of defense against mosquitoes; personal protection and eliminating places where mosquitoes breed are the most effective and healthiest ways of preventing mosquito bites. The more people who are involved, the greater amount of control.

First, protect yourself from bites by using insect repellant or protective clothing. Some repellants may not be safe for children, so always read instructions before using repellants. Protection also means avoiding outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most prevalent - at dusk and dawn. 

Second, eliminate mosquitoes at their source (stagnant water). It only takes three to seven days for thousands of mosquitoes to develop in stagnant water. 

Below are some helpful suggestions to reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home, apartment or business:

  • Remove old tires, buckets or anything that holds standing water, or empty them regularly
  • Reduce runoff of water from sprinkler systems and use additional landscaping to absorb standing water on your property
  • Keep your lawn mowed - mosquitoes typically rest in high grass and weeds
  • Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets
  • Keep rain gutters free of leaves and other debris that can trap water and allow for mosquitoes to breed
  • Treat standing water that can't be drained with a larvicide containing Bti, available at home and garden stores.

Diseases Carried by Mosquitoes:

Mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism -- over one million people die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. Not only can mosquitoes carry diseases that afflict humans, they also transmit several diseases and parasites to dogs and horses. These include dog heartworm, West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. In addition, bites can cause severe skin irritation through allergic reaction to the mosquito's saliva -- this is what causes the red bumps and itching. Mosquito carried diseases include protozoan diseases (malaria), filarial diseases (heartworm) and viruses (dengue, encephalitis, and yellow fever). 

For additional information, please visit the following websites:

Related Information

Visit the Floyd County Health Department