Jackson County is too beautiful to experience from behind a window. Summer evenings, BBQs with friends, and Fourth of July celebrations should be spent outside, not cut short because mosquitoes are driving everyone back indoors.
That’s why Jackson County Vector Control District works year‑round to reduce mosquito populations and protect both public health and our community’s ability to enjoy the outdoors.
Our local option levy supports this work—not just the disease surveillance and public health side, but the everyday quality‑of‑life side too. It helps ensure families can gather outside without getting eaten alive.
Getting Your Yard Ready Before Guests Arrive
A few simple steps can make your Fourth of July celebration more comfortable:
- Dump standing water from buckets, toys, plant saucers, tarps, and anything that can hold even a small amount of water.
- Refresh birdbaths and outdoor pet dishes with clean water.
- Check for green pools or neglected water features—these can produce thousands of mosquitoes.
- Trim vegetation where adult mosquitoes like to rest during the day.
Reducing Mosquito Activity During the BBQ
- Use fans on patios or near seating areas; mosquitoes are weak fliers.
- Keep doors and screens closed to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.
- Place citronella candles or other outdoor repellents around gathering areas.
- Wear EPA‑registered repellents when outdoors, especially at dusk.
If You Have Ponds or Troughs
- Free mosquitofish are available to Jackson County residents for qualifying water sources such as ornamental ponds, livestock troughs, and other permanent standing water.
- These fish help control larvae naturally throughout the summer.
How JCVCD Protects Your Summer
Your Vector Control District works behind the scenes every day to keep mosquitoes from taking over your yard:
- Inspecting and treating hundreds of mosquito sources across the county
- Treating over 40,000 storm drains each year
- Monitoring mosquito species and abundance
- Testing mosquito pools for West Nile virus and other diseases
- Providing mosquitofish to residents
- Responding to service requests during peak season
This work helps protect public health—and it also protects your right to enjoy your backyard, your neighborhood, and your summer traditions.
Need Help? Submit a Service Request
If you’re seeing mosquito activity, standing water, green pools, or larvae, call us or submit a service request online. Your report helps us respond quickly during the busiest part of the season.
To learn more about the Jackson County Vector Control Local Option Levy, click here.
Let’s keep Jackson County a place where summer evenings are spent outside—comfortably, safely, and together.