MISSION STATEMENT

In support of the Department's overall mission, the Vector Control and Environmental Services Division strives to efficiently save lives, maintain health, and improve living conditions for Allen County residents through education, vector-borne disease surveillance, inspection, and enforcement of State and Local regulations in a professional manner.

What is a vector?

A vector is any animal or insect that transmits disease from one animal to another.  Examples of vectors are mosquitoes, ticks, raccoons, bats, rats, mice, and others.  These insects and animals are vectors only when they are carrying a disease.

The Vector Control and Environmental Services Division maintains several programs.  The Division surveys for and controls mosquitoes that may be carrying West Nile virus, LaCrosse Encephalitis, or St. Louis Encephalitis.  In an effort to control Norway rats, residential properties are assessed for toxic bait placement and code enforcement.  Identification of ticks for the public is also conducted.  The Division assists the Community Health Nursing Division and local animal care and control agencies with investigating animal bites to humans to prevent rabies transmission.  Complaints of mold, cockroaches, abandoned refrigerators/freezers, indoor air issues, trash, and discarded tires are investigated.  The Division also ensures structures containing identified meth labs are decontaminated.  Railroad camp cars are inspected by the Division, in conjunction with the Food and Consumer Protection Division and Pollution Control Division.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is utilized by the Division to control rats and mosquitoes.  IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices, such as sanitation, exclusion, trapping, and applying low-toxicity, low-risk pesticides only as necessary.  Division staff educate apartment complex managers and residents about IPM when dealing with cockroach or mouse infestations.