Terri and Ryan are public health inspectors licensed by the Ohio Dept of Health for food service operations, retail food establishments, pools, playgrounds, schools,day care centers, mobile home parks, vending locations, mobile food services, and garbage and environmental nuisances.

They are both licensed public operators for mosquito abatement, licensed by the Ohio Dept of Agriculture.

Both inspectors are available for public health education seminars and for consultations and emergency response for public health concerns.

Food Service Operations

People of Massillon - give a try to the newest spots in town

Kyle's Carryout, 1621 Walnut Rd. SE
Wine-N-Gold Drive Thru - 921 Amherst Rd. NE
Little Caesar's Pizza - 812 Lincoln Way E.
Lui's 6th St. Pizza - 118 - 6th St.
DAV - 821 Erie St. S.

We welcome these businesses!

Mosquito Spraying Schedule
No spray schedule at this time

Early Mosquito Prevention

The most effective way to prevent mosquitoes from taking over your neighborhood is to eliminate breeding and sleeping habitats. This is done simply by emptying and/or removing anything in your yard that can collect and hold water, such as buckets, flower pots, gutters, children’s swimming pools, pool covers, and tires. Change water in bird baths daily to prevent larvae from maturing into disease-carrying mosquitoes. Eliminate these items or turn them over so they don’t hold water, and ask your neighbors to do the same. Keep grass cut and cut any brush/weeds away and dispose of it properly.

The Massillon City Health Department has already begun treating swampy areas and ponds this year with larvacide to prevent adult mosquitoes from developing. The health department is also collecting fresh specimens of crows or bluejays only to test for West Nile Virus, a virus carried by mosquitoes that can infect birds and humans. Citizens who find a newly dead crow or bluejay should call us, at 330-830-1711, so that we may note the location and possibly send it for testing to Ohio Department of Agriculture.

The best way to prevent mosquito problems begins in your own back yard. Eliminate mosquito habitats at your home by throwing away or turning upside-down containers that can hold water.

Massillon City Health Department
Grand Mill Centre, 100 Lincoln Way E.
Massillon, Ohio 44646

Rodent Harborage

Spring 2005

Dear Residents,

With the advent of warmer weather, the Massillon City Health Department is encouraging residents to check their properties for exterior sanitation and any evidence of rat activity or harborage. Some conditions to check for are those favorable to rats, such as trash, dog food and bird seed left outside, dog waste not picked up, rubbish, brush or firewood stacked on the ground. Also sheds, garages, and houses with gaps, holes, or structural damage.

We are asking your assistance in this effort to fight rat populations by:

• taking up pet food and bird seed that is usually left out.
• keeping trash/garbage in garbage cans with tight-fitting lids. No trash in bags left out to be torn into!!
• cutting back shrubs or limbs that touch or overhang the house.
• sealing all pest entry points in houses, garages and sheds, closing gaps with cement or wire mesh.
• raising firewood stacks to at least 12 inches off the ground.
• cleaning out gutters.

By taking these steps to eliminate food and nesting sites, we can prevent rats from flourishing. Thank you.

Terri Argent, RS
Massillon City Health Department

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle weakness. Most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will demonstrate no signs or symptoms. Some severe cases will develop in encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. Infection can be fatal in high-risk individuals.

Larvaciding is done in the spring by the health department, and then again, if needed. The health department continues to do surveillance of mosquitoes. Mosquito samples are sent to the Ohio Department of Health for testing. Spraying is done through the summer. Spray schedules are advertised in the Independent and Repository newspapers, on WTIG and WHBC, and on Cable TV channels 50 and 9.

Residents are advised to take the following prevention measures:

• Make sure your screens in doors and windows are secure and not ripped.
• Avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are likely to be out.
• If you must be outdoors when mosquitoes are active, cover up by wearing long sleeves, shoes, socks, and long pants. Light colors are less attractive to mosquitoes.
• Use mosquito repellant.
• Eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
• Remove all discarded tires from your property.
• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water holding containers.
• Make sure roof gutters drain properly.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools. If not in use, keep empty and covered.
• Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week.

For further information, contact the health department at 330-830-1712.