Vinton County Health Department plans tire cleanup to curb mosquitoes

Old tires can be dropped off next to the Vinton County Fairgrounds in McArthur on April 25, giving Vinton County residents a free way to clear out a common mosquito breeding spot and a property nuisance at the same time. The Vinton County Health Department said the Tire Clean Up Day will run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and only residential tires will be accepted, whether they are on or off the rim.

The cleanup is being supported by an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Mosquito Control grant, which gives the event a public-health purpose beyond simple disposal. Ohio EPA says the program helps local governments monitor and reduce the risk of mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile and La Crosse encephalitis. The agency also says scrap-tire piles are prime breeding grounds because they trap water and debris and create protected places where larvae can develop.

That warning lines up with CDC guidance, which urges people to remove items that collect standing water, including tires, buckets and barrels, to reduce places where mosquitoes lay eggs. In Vinton County, where scattered homes and outdoor storage are common, discarded tires can quickly become more than an eyesore. They can hold rainwater, draw mosquitoes, and contribute to dumping problems that linger around homes, barns and vacant lots.

The health department said volunteers age 18 and older are welcome to help with the cleanup. People who need a waiver or have questions can contact the Environmental Health office at 740-596-0473. The office is at 31927 State Route 93, McArthur, OH 45651. The department’s main number is 740-596-5233.

The drop-off site is beside the Vinton County Fairgrounds at 31471 OH-93 in McArthur, making it easy for residents to reach without a long drive. The fairgrounds has also served as a regular county collection site for cleanup events, including spring and fall disposal days in 2023, reinforcing its role as a practical hub for local trash removal and community cleanup work.