LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. -- A tire facility in Lehigh Acres is still being monitored by the state and Lee County, amid concerns over the potential spread of the Zika virus.
West Coast Tire Recycling had approximately 200,000 tires on its property, after its tire shredder malfunctioned several months ago. Tires are a favorite breeding spot for aedes aegypti and aedes albopictus, the two types of mosquito known to be able to carry the Zika virus.
"The owners are trying to work with the health department, and with us," said Shelly Redovan of the Lee County Mosquito Control District. "They are treating for the mosquitoes."
The owner told Fox 4 that they have been removing tires from the lot and spraying for mosquito larvae. She said they should have their tire shredder operational within a week.
Redovan said that it's important for homeowners to eliminate things outside the home that collect small pockets of water, such as the popular landscaping plant bromeliad. Its leaves trap small amounts of water, which aedes aegypti and aedes albopictus prefer over standing water on the ground.
Redovan recommends flushing out bromeliads with a hose once a week, and ridding the yard of anything else that can trap water in small amounts.
