Macon Co. tire drive held to reduce mosquito breeding grounds this summer

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The Macon County Health Department teamed up with the Macon Mosquito Abatement District to host a tire drive this morning.

County residents were able to drop off rimless tires from 8 to noon.

"You know, we've got regular sites that we are out treating on a regular basis," said Jason Probus, the director of the Macon Mosquito Abadement District. "And these are cryptic sources because we can't find them all of the time, so this is an opportunity for people to bring us their mosquito habitat for us to rid them."

The Illinois EPA says the design of tires makes them ideal for mosquito breeding sites, especially when they contain water and organic matter like leaves and grass. Tires should be kept inside or in a fully closed container to keep water out. If tires must be kept outdoors, alterations should be made so they can't collect water.