Abandoned Properties Prone to West Nile
By: Jordan Vandenberge
Updated: August 17, 2012
In the 400 block of Jefferson Avenue, a family moved out and never came back. The mosquitos moved in with the intentions of staying.
Tricia Handley has already met her new neighbors.
"We have some concerns with two smaller kids and everything," said Handley. "it makes a big difference to keep them out of harm's way."
That may be a little hard to do with abandoned properties all around her. Dense thicket fills the vacant lots now. That results in prime real estate for the threat of West Nile.
"I think it enforces the responsbility we have to really go out and work with property owners to clean up their property and maintain their properties," said Ben Miller of the Evansville Building Commission.
With a recent death as the result of West Nile, the Vanderburgh County Health Department has been busy. They're trying to get a handle on this new problem that's complicated by the city's long-standing problem.
"It's very possible and it depends on how long the house has actually been vacant and the condition of the house," said Ketih Goy of the Vanderburgh County Health Department. "Certainly if the house is overgrown with the weed situation, the mosquitos will harbor in the weeds to get into the shade and out of the heat. Other situations would be is if the house is in disrepair and the gutter is holding water, then we may have a breeding site for mosquitos."
Click here to find contact information for the Evansville Building Commission.
Weed Control
Trash Control
Property Maintenance
Fire Hazards
Unsafe Electrical
Unsafe Building
Unsecured Building
No Permit
No License
Call: 812-436-7885


