YOUNGSTOWN - Mosquitos are synonymous with that warm, summer weather.
But they're more than just a pest.

The Ohio EPA is granting funds to Trumbull and Mahoning County's Health departments' mosquito to help squash the population problem and risk to public safety.

"Mosquito-borne disease we don't think about as much because of the efforts that go on behind the scenes," Mahoning County Director of Environmental Health Colton Masters said. "That being said, there are still diseases carried by mosquitos here in Ohio."

Illnesses like West Nile and Encephalitis can be caused by a single mosquito bite, but can have long-term health effects That's why Mahoning County's mosquito control program sends interns to collect population samples each year, to be tested by the state.

Those local samples are also counted by the department before they're sent to Columbus. Those numbers help the control team identify where to spray insecticide, based on what areas have the highest concentrations of mosquitos.

"As we're trying to control these mosquito populations, we need to use this data to make those informed decisions," Masters noted.

In addition to using pesticides, the team strategically targets discarded tire piles and other debris holding standing water, to eradicate any likely mosquito breeding grounds.

Data collection in Mahoning County is set to begin the week of May 20.

The Mahoning County Department of Public Health is still seeking more interns to join this years team. Those interested in the position can send an email and their resume to info@mahoninghealth.org.