Ohio EPA offers mosquito control grants

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) will award grants for controlling mosquitos and fighting the spread of mosquito-borne viruses to local and state agencies, which can apply for funding for their own projects or in partnership with other organizations.

Projects eligible for funding include those focused on monitoring mosquitos, controlling mosquito larvae, controlling adult mosquitos through measures like spraying, educating and informing local communities and reducing breeding sources.

The grants will be awarded on a first come, first-served basis. When evaluating grant applications, the Ohio EPA will consider the availability of funding and correct and comprehensive responses in the application forms. The agency will also look at compliance and any outstanding financial issues, as well as surveillance plans for new mosquito control programs and historical surveillance or photographic evidence for existing programs.

These grants are intended to help prevent the spread of viruses like Zika, West Nile and La Cross Encephalitis, which are spread by mosquitos.

The Ohio EPA will accept applications for the second round of grants until May 31, though if the funding is exhausted in the first round the application cycle will open again on July 1.