NORTHWEST MOSQUITO
ABATEMENT DISTRICT
147 W. Hintz Rd.
Wheeling, IL. 60090
Phone: (847) 537-2306
Fax: (847) 537-2583
www.nwmadil.com
Mosquito Update
May
9, 2008
PRESENT CONTROL STATUS:
NUISANCE MOSQUITOES
Above normal rainfall and saturated soils will produce a floodwater mosquito brood (Aedes vexans) by the weekend of the 10th. Biting mosquitoes will become apparent when temperatures warm, however, earlier snow-pool mosquitoes have already made their presence known in the heavily forested areas.
New Jersey Light Trap counts are still low due to the
lower evening temperatures..
Crews have already been larviciding since the latter half of April treating infested water areas for the developing mosquito larvae with methoprene.
CULEX MOSQUITOES
Gravid traps are already
collecting Culex mosquitoes. Residents
of the District are advised to inspect their properties for stagnant water
filled containers that may produce these types of mosquitoes. Examples of mosquito production areas
encountered by homeowners can be viewed at: http://www.nwmadil.com/breeding
sites1.htm.
Crews are currently treating stagnant
ground surface water sources.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE: Once again I wish to thank those cities/villages
that provided maps of off-road & backyard catch basins, subterranean
vaults, pumping stations, flood control structures, tire pile locations and new
building constructions! Your assistance
will help our control efforts to further minimize the effects of West Nile
Virus.
ASIAN ROCK POOL MOSQUITO
In
October of 2007 the Asian rock pool mosquito (Ochlerotatus japonicus)
was captured in one of our gravid traps along the Des
Plaines River in Northfield Township.
The Asian rock pool mosquito first appeared in the United States in 1998
in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Most likely, the Asian rock pool mosquito like the Asian tiger mosquito
(Aedes albopictus) was imported into the U.S. via the used tire trade. The first record of this mosquito in southern
Cook County was in 2006. Unlike the
Asian tiger mosquito the Asian rock pool mosquito may establish in the Chicago
land area since it is more cold tolerant. This mosquito has spread along the east coast
states and in the state of Washington.
The
Asian rock pool mosquito is a day and night biting mosquito. The larvae of this mosquito are usually found
in smaller containers such as: bird baths, buckets, wheelbarrows, animal
watering containers, tires, treeholes, tire ruts and catch basins. Unlike Culex spp. Asian rock pool
mosquito larvae prefer relatively clean, clear water to develop in.
Relatively
little is known about the disease potential of this mosquito in the United States. In the laboratory it was demonstrated that
this mosquito was as competent as Culex pipiens in transmitting West
Nile virus! It also was efficient at
transmitting St. Louis encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis and La Crosse
viruses.
The Northwest Mosquito Abatement District
Entomology Lab will be monitoring the potential establishment of this mosquito
in our area via larval collections and our gravid traps already in place to
monitor Culex populations.
Additionally, we will use special ovitraps to collect the eggs and/or
adults of the Asian rock pool mosquito.
No mosquito samples have tested positive for WNV (West
Nile Virus), EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) or SLE (St. Louis Encephalitis) thus far in the NWMAD District. NWMAD will continue using the VecTest for
detection of West Nile,
http://www.nwmadil.com/VECTEST2008.htm.
The Illinois Department of
Public Health has not reported any West Nile virus infected mosquitoes, birds or
human cases in Illinois. More information about WNV can be found on
the state’s website www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm
or by calling 217-782-5830. The State’s
website also has other valuable resource links on WNV, pesticides and mosquito
control.
NWMAD WEBSITE:
Report 10-day standing water
problem: http://www.nwmadil.com/water
source rpt.htm
Report sick/dead birds or
other animals: http://www.nwmadil.com/Dead
Birds.html
REDUCING THE RISK OF
MOSQUITO BITES:
Avoid outdoor activity if
possible from dusk to dawn when the mosquitoes bite the most. If you do go out wear light colored, loose
fitting, protective clothing and insect repellent (always read label warnings
and directions). Make sure mosquitoes do
not enter homes through unscreened or broken doors or windows. Residents are encouraged not to create
mosquito harborage areas. Make sure tall
grassy areas are trimmed and other unnecessary vegetation is cut back. If plants must be watered do so in the
morning so the vegetation and soil has a chance to dry making it less
attractive to mosquitoes. Empty any
containers holding stagnating water for 5 days or longer like: tire casings,
birdbaths, flowerpots and barrels that may produce mosquitoes. Neglected
swimming pools may produce thousands of mosquitoes. Call the District to report large stagnant
water areas that remain wet for more than 7 days.
Mike Szyska
Director
(Email:
PLEASE FORWARD
THIS INFORMATION TO APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.