• Discard or at least every seven days, empty all containers in your yard that can hold water such as tires, bottles, flowerpot saucers, small pools, buckets and tarps.
• Keep gutters clean and in good repair.
• Repair leaky outdoor faucets.
• Clean and change the water in birdbaths and outside pet bowls at least twice a week.
• Screen or cover any outside rain barrels.
• Clean ornamental ponds and stock with Goldfish or Gambusia fish, which feed on mosquito larvae.
• Limit oudoor activities in the evening when mosquitoes are most active.
• Prevent bites by wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants. Use a repellent containing DEET (10% or less for children; 30% or less for adults), following the manufacturer's instructions.
• To keep mosquitoes outside, make sure screens fit tightly and are not torn on windows and doors.

Following these simple tips can help prevent mosquito breeding and potential bites. For more information about mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases, visit the North Carolina state website or contact us via email or telephone, 641.3771.

Health Hazards FAQ
There is a foreclosed home in my neighborhood.  I am afraid that this tall grass will cause more rats and snakes in my yard.  What can I do?
The Guilford County Department of Public Health has been receiving an abundance of telephone calls concerning these issues and would like to give residents some clarifying information.  Tall grass may be unsightly in residential areas, but is not breeding areas for rodents (rats) or snakes.  Rodents and snakes are natural predators and will not live in the same area.  Rodents will only live in areas that are close to a food and water source.  The following suggestions will help reduce or eliminate rodents near your home by reducing food sources and harborage (living) areas:

• When feeding pets outside:

             Provide enough food in the morning and evening for the pet to eat in ten minutes (always
             provide fresh water).  Pets will adjust to this feeding schedule in a few days. 
             Remove any remaining food immediately.  (This will prevent any other wild animals from
             coming into your yard as well, such as raccoons, coyotes, deer, etc.)
             Keep food in sealed containers in the home or basement.  Rodents have an excellent sense
             of smell and my go inside your home looking for food.

• Do not fill bird feeders if you have seen rodents in your yard.  Rodents will live close to this food source.

• Do not throw food scraps outside in your yard.  This will attract rodents and other wild animals quickly.

• Keep garbage can lids on tightly and replace any cans that have holes.  A rodent can fit through a hole that is only one-half inch wide.

• Be aware of other possible food sources, such as fruit trees or dog droppings.

• If you choose to purchase rat poison, put it in areas that cannot be reached by children, pets or other animals.  You may want to use a special tamper-resistant bait box or over the counter poisons.  Guilford County does not provide poisons but can help you identify possible food or harborage sources. 

Removing food sources can go a long way to help prevent rodents and other wild animals from coming into or staying in your yard.

Most snakes in this area are not poisonous, but people should be very cautious around snakes.  Snakes do not pose a public health problem but most people are afraid of them.  Leave snakes alone and they will likely leave your yard on their own.

However, the Health Hazards ordinance states:
Uncontrolled vegetation
No person, owner, occupant, tenant or lessee or any other public or private premises or any land, developed or undeveloped, shall permit uncontrolled vegetation to grow higher than six(6) inches when in the opinion of the Health Director such uncontrolled vegetation creates a substantial risk of harborage or breeding place for insects, rodents and vermin to the extent that the public health is impaired.

If you have a question about a property creating a substantial risk of harborage or breeding place or a property impairs public health, notify staff.

                                                                                                         
The mosquitoes are bad this year at my house, does the tall grass contribute to that problem?

Tall grassy areas are not breeding areas for mosquitoes.  Mosquitoes can breed in just two teaspoons of water.  The best way to be rid of a mosquito problem is to eliminate breeding sites.  Here are some tips to reduce mosquito breeding sites in your yard or around your house:

• Discard all containers in your yard that can hold water such as tires, bottles, flowerpot saucers, small pools, buckets and tarps.  If containers cannot be discarded, empty them at least every seven days.

• Keep gutters clean and in good repair.

• Repair leaky outdoor faucets.

• Clean and change the water in birdbaths and outside pet bowls at least twice a week.

• Screen or cover any outside rain barrels.

• Clean ornamental ponds and stock with goldfish or Gambusia fish that feed on mosquito larvae.

• Make sure screens on windows and doors fit tightly and are not torn.  This will prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

• Prevent bites by wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors.  Use a repellent containing DEET (10% or less for children; 30% or less for adults; none should be used on infants). Be sure to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Following these simple tips can help prevent mosquito breeding areas and potential bites.  Remember, tall grass does not breed mosquitoes, stagnant water is the problem breeding area.

Tall grass in my neighborhood is still annoying and unsightly.  What do I do about the tall grass in my neighborhood?  Somebody should be responsible for mowing it!

Due to the recent economic downturn, more neighborhoods have vacant lots or foreclosed homes in them than ever before.  Many neighbors complain about these.  First, the neighborhood could ban together and mow the lot or yard.  There is no law on the books that prohibits neighbors from doing that.  Just because you mow the yard once, that does not mean you will be responsible from now on or until someone buys the lot or home. 

If the vacant lots or foreclosed homes are inside the city limits of Greensboro or High Point, residents can call the city of Greensboro (336-373-2111) or city of High Point (336-883-3111) and request to have these areas mowed.  These cities have the authority to mow these areas and attach fees for this service.

Bed Bugs have been in the news lately. What do I need to know about them, how can I prevent them and what do I do if my home, apartment or residence becomes infected with them?

Many years ago, tucking me in at night, Mom would jokingly say, “don’t let the bed bugs bite”. Fast forward to 2010 and getting bit by a bed bug is a realistic possibility! Bed bugs are back and spreading. Although they do not spread disease, they do bite and getting rid of them can be stressful, time-consuming and expensive. Health Departments across the country are receiving numerous complaints and Guilford County is no exception.

Resurgence is attributed to an increase in domestic and international travel, restrictions on domestic pesticide use and bed bugs developing resistance to approved pesticides. There does not appear to be socio-economic boundaries with this menace, they have been found in luxury hotels, student dorms, hospitals, public housing, apartments, private residences, schools, youth hostels and shelters across the country. They are transported on clothing, luggage, second-hand furniture, to include electronics and mattresses. It is important to check out any place new where you plan to stay as well as take precautions if you realize you have been exposed.

In an effort to provide useful information we have found several very helpful websites:
http://www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases/0,1607,7-186--147759--,00.html
http://www.ncmvca.org/Resources/Bedbugs/bedbugs.html
http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm/Bedbugs.htm
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/bedbugs.htm

Additionally Jung “Woogie” Kim with the North Carolina Department o f Environment Natural Resources – Public Health Pest Management section is available to provide assistance. Dr. Kim can be reached at 919-733-6740 or jung.kim(at)ncdenr.gov.

Here are a few tips when visiting a home if unsure of an infestation or notice bugs upon arrival:
1. Take ONLY what you need into the dwelling. Leave other materials/supplies in the trunk of your vehicle.
2. Stand if possible during the visit.
3. Return anything taken into the dwelling into the trunk of the vehicle when you leave.
a. If bed bugs are present, extreme temperatures, especially during hot and cold months, will kill them.
b. If fleas or cockroaches are noticed you can spray your pant legs and shoes with a product such as OFF!®
4. If you suspect you are bring them home, upon arrival place clothes in a plastic bag. Wash and dry as soon as possible. Drying for a minimum of 45 minutes is critical!
5. If you suspect that you have brought them into your home, contact a Pest Management company or the North Carolina Cooperative Extension office at 336-375-5876.

Where do I contactl locally if I have more questions?

Contact us via email or telephone, 641.3771.