For more information, contact Kim Papich, SRHD Public Information Officer (509) 324-1539 or kpapich@srhd.org

SPOKANE, Wash. – May 1, 2014 – As Spokane immerses itself in warmer weather, many residents are knee-deep in their spring cleaning rituals. And as the community emerges to spruce up its lawns, get the yard tools out of the shed, and open up lake places and cabins, Spokane Regional Health District’s (SRHD) Living Environment program is taking the opportunity to launch a prevention campaign aimed at reducing the activity of spring and summer pests.

 
The centerpiece of SRHD’s Bring It, Summer Pests! campaign is a variety of colorful backyard illustrations that show homeowners simple preventive measures they can take outside of their homes to warn disease-carrying mosquitoes, ticks and mice that they are not invited to the spring and summer fun. Using the campaign’s simple landscaping tricks and following its tips to protect the home’s exterior, residents now have a useful weapon in confronting these pests and their associated diseases.
 
“Previously, our community didn’t have an easy-to-use resource specific to confronting the pests we all deal with each summer,” said Steve Main, technical advisor for SRHD’s Environmental Health division. “This is a fun, literal how-to that we’re hopeful residents will really enjoy.”
 
Specific to mosquitoes, which are known to carry West Nile virus in our region, the campaign emphasizes draining and routinely emptying anything outside the home that holds water, as standing water can act as a breeding site.
 
When it comes to ticks, which caused cases of relapsing fever, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Washington state in the past, Bring It, Summer Pests! emphasizes avoiding or controlling leaf litter and high grass outside the home. Ticks also find their way into homes and cabins on the coattails of mice, a pest that the campaign also accounts for.
 
To avoid contact with potentially-infectious mice that also spread hantaviruses, the campaign gives visual tips for controlling items near the home that could attract mice like trash, compost, birdfeeders, pet food, etc.
 
And since reducing the activity of these pests isn’t just about prevention in the backyard, the campaign also offers tips to round out a comprehensive prevention plan.  To view the entire campaign and related fact sheets, go to www.srhd.org/bringit.asp.
 
Information can also be found at www.srhd.org. SRHD’s web site offers comprehensive, updated information about Spokane Regional Health District and its triumphs in making Spokane a safer and healthier community. Become a fan of SRHD on Facebook to receive local safety and wellness tips. You can also follow us on Twitter @spokanehealth