In an effort to control mosquito populations in Island County, officials are offering a tire discount to help residents eliminate a popular breeding ground for the disease-spreading insects.
From Saturday, July 12, through Sunday, July 20, the half price discount will be offered to county residents wanting to get rid of junk tires.
Junk tires, which can accumulate stagnant pools of water, are a common breeding ground for mosquitos. According to information from the Island County Health Department, one abandoned tire can produce up to 25,000 mosquitos throughout the summer.
Only passenger car and light truck tires qualify for the $3.10 discount and residents are limited to five tires per household. Remaining tires will be accepted at the full $6.20 price. Large tires, tires from businesses and tires on rims don’t qualify for the discount.
Families with Solid Waste Low Income Discount cards can dispose of tires free of charge.
The week-long tire discount program is one part of the county’s four-part plan to address mosquitos breeding. Mosquitos are a carrier of West Nile Virus which has been spreading west in recent years.
In addition to the discount, the county has stepped up enforcement of solid waste regulations to encourage residents to remove junk from around their homes that collects pools of water, said Island County Health Department Director Tim McDonald.
Although the county commissioners denied the hiring of a health educator this year, McDonald said that other officials have given presentations to local service clubs about mosquitoes and the virus.
The county is also undertaking a surveillance program to map out and identify the types of mosquitoes breeding in the county.
“The objective of the surveillance strategy is to detect species and identify where problem spots are,” McDonald said.
For more information about mosquito populations, call Kathleen Parvin at 679-7350.
Where to dump’em
Here’s where to take advantage of the discount tire disposal rates:
Oak Harbor Transfer Station: 3151 Oak Harbor Road (9:30 a.m. to 5 pm. Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday).
Coupeville Solid Waste Complex: 20062 Highway 20 (9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week).
Bayview Transfer Station: 5790 Kramer Road (9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday).
