Vector Control

Norway rats are the most common rat in Ohio.

• They prefer to burrow underground along walls.
• Their home range is 150 feet.
• They have poor eyesight.
• They travel the same path to and from their destination.

Active signs you may see on your property include:

• Burrows (1)(JPG, 293KB) (2)(JPG, 271KB).
• Runs (1)(JPG, 6MB) (2)(JPG, 6MB) (3)(JPG, 8MB).
• Droppings (1)(JPG, 3MB).  
• Gnawing (1)(JPG, 2MB).
• Hairs.
• Tracks (1)(JPG, 201KB).

Process for our rat program:

• Make a service request through 311.
• Our team will come to your property to do an assessment.
• If there are active signs present and you wish to have the property treated, we will ask you to sign a Release of Liability form for us to service your property.
• You will be placed in our rotation for one recommended treatment each month.

When does Columbus Public Health not treat for rats?

Requirements for our rat program:

• No dog waste.
• No bird seed.
• No overgrown yards.
• No trash/debris.

The program only treats outdoor areas. If you have rats inside your home or garage, please contact your property owner or a licensed exterminator.

Prevent Mosquito Bites

• Take steps to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites that can make you sick.
• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents.
• Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
• Wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin.
• Control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.

Learn more about mosquito bite prevention from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Mosquito Spraying

Mosquito spraying usually occurs at the beginning of July through the end of September. Each season begins with trapping and testing mosquitoes. Areas are selected for spraying based on testing results and high numbers.

Ohio Department of Health tests for a variety of diseases:

• West Nile Virus
• St. Louis encephalitis
• Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE)
• Jamestown Canyon virus
• La Crosse virus

The map below shows areas scheduled for spraying:

Columbus Public Health conducts mosquito control spraying based on surveillance and presence of disease. The map below shows the areas that are scheduled to be sprayed.

Click the "Legend" or "Details" options above the map for more information. Maps are best viewed in the internet browsers Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer 11.

Please visithttps://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1iZL-T1WUFlPXMydAG93jT1g5dyKStyg&ehbc=2E312F

Residents may choose not to have properties sprayed for mosquitoes. To be added to our no spray list, please make a 311 service request.

Larviciding

Larviciding is the control of mosquitoes before they develop the ability to fly. This treatment option is our most effective means for reducing mosquitoes. Our team identifies and treats mosquito larvae throughout Columbus and Worthington.

Catch Basins

Catch basins (storm drains) are a source for Culex mosquitoes. Culex mosquitoes are the primary disease vector for West Nile Virus. We treat thousands of catch basins to prevent mosquito breeding.  

Ticks require blood for survival after hatching from eggs. They transmit disease by attaching to humans, pets and livestock.

• In case of a tick bite incident
• Report ticks found in Columbus or Worthington
• Common Columbus ticks(PDF, 395KB)
• Where to check for ticks on people

People can become ill from ticks; some diseases include:

• Lyme disease
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS)
• Anaplasmosis
• Ehrlichiosis
• Babesiosis
• Powassan virus (POW)
• Tularemia

Our team visits parks, schools and open spaces to collect ticks for disease testing. If you see our team looking for ticks, please ask questions.

For more information about ticks in Ohio, visit Ohio Department of Health.

Columbus Public Health staff are trained to safely and responsibly use pesticides to control rats and mosquitoes with minimal impact on the environment.

See information below on common pesticides used:

Rats

• FASTRAC All-Weather BLOX
• CONTRAC Rodenticide
• ContraPest

Mosquitoes

• Biomist 3+15
• FOURSTAR 90
• Fourstar 180
• Altosid
• CRG
• VectoBac
• CocoBear

Columbus Public Health does not inspect or provide treatment for these pests:

• Mice
• Bees
• Bed bugs
• Fleas
• Spiders
• Ants

To create a 311 service request:

Submit Online

• Step 1 – Visit www.columbus.gov/311.
• Step 2 – Select "Submit Request" to begin a new 311 request.
• Step 3 – Select a report type:
  • For rats: Rat Complaint (Outside).
  • For mosquitoes: Private Swimming Pool/Stagnant Water, Request Rain Barrel Mosquito Treatment, Requesting No Mosquito Spraying, or Standing Water/Mosquito Breeding.
• Step 4 – Enter request address and include more details.
• Step 5 – Submit request on website.

Email – 311@Columbus.gov.

Call – (614) 645-3111.

We cannot treat commercial properties or apartment buildings. A street address must be provided for each request. We need permission from an owner or occupant to access properties.

For questions, email EHVector@columbus.gov or call (614) 645-6671.