Spring is here, which brings warmer temperatures and rain; therefore, time to clean up and put an end to those Illegal dump sites before they harbor mosquitoes.
If your city is like most cities throughout the United States, then you are up to your eye balls with the illegal dumping problem. Illegal dumping is not only unsightly but is also a breeding ground for rats and mosquitoes, which carry disease to the community.
The newest virus is the Jamestown Canyon virus, which is spread by a bite of an infected mosquito. The Jamestown Canyon virus can cause a severe disease including encephalitis, defined as brain inflammation. There are over 200 different categories of mosquitos and 12 which spread diseases harmful to humans. Some known diseases are Malaria, West Nile virus, Dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus. The ability to spread germs to a person depends on the type of germ, the amount of the germ eaten, the age of the mosquito, and the environmental conditions.
In order to breed and lay eggs, the mosquito must have water. Unfortunately, temporary sitting water, created by rain in an unlawfully disposed tire or debris, is the perfect environment to leave over 100 eggs. This is just one of the reasons the eradication of unauthorized dump sites is essential.
To rid your community of the unlawful dumping areas, the implementation of an Illegal Dumping Program is necessary. A successful Illegal Dumping Program includes departments working together. This involves educating the community, changing legislation to include stiff fines, staff resources that make illegal dumping a priority, tools specifically designed to stop illegal dumping , and the ability to prosecute.
Take the next step and end the illegal dump sites in your city.