CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Ross County Health District (RCHD) announced plans to conduct additional mosquito spraying across select townships on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, following positive tests for West Nile virus and La Crosse virus in local collection traps.
Spraying will take place after 8:00 p.m. in target areas within Springfield and Colerain Townships, where health officials noted positive traps as well as localized human cases of the La Crosse virus. In the event of high winds or rain, operations will be postponed to Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Crews will apply Duet, an EPA-approved adulticide designed for outdoor residential and recreational use. Health officials assure residents that the treatment poses no harm to humans, pets, or the environment when applied according to label guidelines. Local beehive owners have been notified, though pollinators are unlikely to be impacted during evening applications.
Residents wishing to opt out of spraying directly in front of their properties must contact RCHD by noon on the day of spraying by calling 740-775-1158 or emailing [email protected].
Mosquito Prevention & Safety Measures
Apply EPA-registered repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin.
Drain standing water from gutters, flowerpots, bird baths, and tarps to destroy breeding sites.
Wear light-colored clothing treated with permethrin for added protection.
Limit outdoor exposure during peak mosquito activity hours between dusk and dawn.
Free mosquito larvicide tablets are available to county residents on a first-come, first-served basis at the Ross County Health District office to treat standing water that cannot be drained.
