Local health officials warn disease carrying mosquitoes love discarded un-rimmed tires

June 2, 2026

Let’s disrupt this love connection by covering, enclosing or recycling old tires! It’s that time of year again
when your friendly Crawford County Health Department asks for your help to combat the spread of
disease by one of the area’s most pesky of pests…the mosquito.

Unused, un-rimmed tires sitting out in the elements can collect rainwater and become ideal habitats for
mosquitoes, including species known to carry serious diseases such as West Nile virus, Zika virus, and
dengue fever. The dark rubber of tires retains heat, and the shape of a tire protects these mosquito larvae
nurseries from predators. A single tire can provide enough rainwater to breed thousands of mosquitoes in
a matter of days. Yikes!

Check your property for unused tires to help keep your family, friends and neighbors healthy by keeping
them COVERED, ENCLOSED or RECYCLED!!

The Department of Natural Resources website has a page dedicated to “Waste Tires in Wisconsin.” You
can search for waste tire haulers and local recycling programs here.

For other tips to eliminate mosquito breeding habitat and how to protect yourself from mosquito bites
(and tick bites), visit Wisconsin Department of Health Services – Fight the Bite