Insects and rodents can carry dangerous diseases, and the Marion County Public Health Department puts in effort to prevent the spread of sickness. The department will spray your home for mosquitoes or trap rats — all for free.
Here’s how it works:
Rodent control
If your home is infested with rats or other rodents, the health department can send out a rodent control expert. First up, they’ll check out your home and place baits if necessary. The health department’s technicians respond to calls like that around the county every day.
Typically, rats thrive in areas where trash or litter pile up. To prevent trash from collecting, which rats use for food and shelter, this department can also lend your neighborhood equipment to clean up: rakes, brooms, shovels and more.
Mosquito control
Mosquito season runs from May to October in Indiana. These insects can cause serious diseases, such as West Nile Virus or the heartworms dogs can get. Mosquitoes love to gather in areas where water collects, such as a kiddie pool or a bird bath.
To prevent those from becoming breeding spots, change out the water in a bird bath twice a week and empty and store pools when they aren’t in use. Mosquitoes only need one or two days to hatch.
The Marion County Public Health Department offers several ways to take care of mosquitoes. First, you can request a chemical spray to kill adult mosquitoes and larvae. They can teach you how to get rid of areas where the insects breed.
How to ask for mosquito and rodent control services
📍Go to Marion County Mosquito Control, 4001 E. 21st St. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
📞 Call 317-221-7440
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Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.
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