BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Brevard County residents recently took advantage of a unique opportunity to tidy up their properties and help combat the local mosquito population during the county’s second annual Tire Amnesty Days.

Organized by Brevard County Mosquito Control in collaboration with regional and state partners, the event ran from April 16 to April 18. It provided a free service for locals to dispose of unwanted tires, contributing to a significant public health effort.

Officials emphasize the importance of this initiative, as discarded tires often accumulate stagnant water, creating perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. These mosquitoes can transmit diseases like dengue fever, posing health risks to the community.

“Standing water in discarded tires provides an ideal breeding environment for mosquitoes, which is precisely what we aim to prevent in Brevard County,” explained Joseph Faella, the Director of Mosquito Control.

Faella noted that many of the tires collected during the event originated from residential areas, including yards and garages. When left unattended outdoors, these tires can become problematic.

“Often, it’s just old tires people have stored in their yard or garage,” Faella said. “However, if left outside, they can facilitate mosquito breeding. By collecting and disposing of these tires, we can effectively remove them from neighborhoods and reduce mosquito populations.”

Residents who took part in the event said removing old tires helps protect both people and pets.

“All the rainwater and the tires filling up and the mosquitoes — it’s not safe for us or the dog,” one resident said.

Officials said the collected tires are treated to kill mosquito larvae before being transported to the landfill.

By the end of the event, mosquito control officials said more than 2,500 tires were collected across two Brevard County locations over the three-day period.

The effort wasn’t limited to Brevard. Volusia County Mosquito Control Division also hosted a drive-thru Tire Amnesty event Saturday in New Smyrna Beach, allowing residents to quickly and safely dispose of unwanted tires at no cost.

Brevard County officials said residents can still dispose of up to four tires for free at the county landfill. Tires must be off the rim and properly prepared for drop-off as part of ongoing county waste management and mosquito prevention efforts.