Mosquito Control
Program Overview
The Mosquito Control office works to protect the health of Greene County residents by reducing the mosquito population and by educating individuals on how to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Services
Health inspectors regularly investigate areas of standing water on public land that might provide breeding habitats for mosquitoes. If mosquito larvae are found, the area is immediately treated with mosquito larvicide. Larvicide kills mosquitoes before they have the opportunity to reach adulthood.
Staff also respond to complaints from the general public. To register a complaint about mosquitoes, call 417-864-1666.
Dead Bird Disposal
The health department does not collect dead birds. If you discover a dead bird on your property, please dispose of it using the following precautions:
- Do not handle a dead bird with your bare hands or allow it to touch your clothing.
- Put plastic or latex gloves on your hands.
- If you do not have gloves available, place your hands inside two layers of leak-proof plastic bags before picking up the bird.
- Place the bird in a double plastic bag.
- Close the bag tightly, making sure that the bird's claws or beak do not puncture it.
- Remove your gloves, turning them inside out, and place them in the bag with the bird.
- Place the bag in an outside trash can and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Currently there is no evidence that West Nile Virus can be spread directly from birds to people, however, dead birds can carry other diseases.
Additional Services
Epidemiology staff work with local health care providers on surveillance programs that monitor symptoms suggestive of those found in a human case of West Nile Virus. An increase in aseptic meningitis, unexplained fevers, encephalitis, or Guillain Barre Syndrome could indicate West Nile virus activity in the human population.
