NUISANCE MOSQUITO CONTROL

Floodwater mosquito (Aedes vexans) numbers are increasing due to May and June rains. Slightly higher numbers were detected in forested areas. Cool evenings have decreased biting activity but the return of warmer weather will make floodwater mosquitoes more active day and evening but likely still below normal this time of the year.

Crews continue to treat floodwater areas with the insect growth regulator methoprene, the microbial larvicide Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) and MMFG (Agnique).

CULEX MOSQUITOES

Culex mosquito numbers are slowly increasing in our gravid traps as is typical this time of the year. Elevated temperatures hasten their development as well as the risk for West Nile Virus (WNV). Residents are advised to inspect their properties for stagnant water areas that produce these mosquitoes. Any container that holds water and organic debris for greater than 7 days can produce many of these mosquitoes (for common mosquito production areas around the home see: http://www.nwmadil.com/breeding sites1.htm).

Crews are treating street catch basins with 150-Day Altosid Ingots (methoprene). Other above ground stagnant water mosquito producing sites will be treated with the microbial insecticide Bacillus sphaericus

BACKYARD CATCH BASIN TREATMENTS:

NWMAD has begun treatment of backyard catch basins with the insect growth regulator methoprene (a.k.a. Altosid 150-Day Ingots). The formulation of briquette we place in the basins will provide season long mosquito control as long as the basins are not cleaned out so that the briquette is removed. Rainfall and additional water (i.e. lawn sprinkling) is not likely to reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Altosid briquettes in the basins are not harmful to people or pets. Basins are only treated if they have sumps or pits that collect and hold water for 10 days or longer. For more information on methoprene (Altosid) visit the following website: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/larvicides4mosquitoes.htm.

NOTE: Residences where we treat backyard catch basins will receive a yellow door hanger indicating that we performed the treatment as well as additional mosquito prevention suggestions and the District’s phone number for additional information.

Cities, villages, municipalities within NWMAD territory MUST re-treat catch basins if they perform vacuum clean-outs of basins that have debris sumps. If your vacuum clean-outs of catch basins remove our mosquito treatments West Nile virus infected Culex mosquitoes may be produced from those basins.

MOSQUITO VIRUS SURVEILLANCE IN ILLINOIS

NWMAD has tested 103 batches of mosquitoes for West Nile Virus. Collections have been from throughout the NWMAD territory. ONE batch of mosquitoes from Rolling Meadows tested positive for West Nile virus. Mosquito pools testing positive in the District will be posted at the NWMAD website http://www.nwmadil.com/VECTEST1.htm.

In Cook County three WNV infected mosquito batches have been detected in the Cities of Wilmette, Evanston & Rolling Meadows. Infected mosquitoes have also been found in St. Clair County. No human cases of WNV have been reported in Illinois.

ADULTICIDING (NIGHT SPRAYING)

At this point in time, due to low evening temperatures, this operation will not be engaged.

DEAD BIRD SURVIELLANCE INFORMATION:

NWMAD has received 7 dead bird reports. No dead birds infected with WNV have been reported in the NWMAD District. One WNV infected bird was found in LaSalle County thus far. Cities, villages and the public are encouraged to report dead birds to our District’s Dead Bird/Animal reporting web page, which can be accessed at www.nwmadil.com. Knowing this information allows our District to better focus our control efforts. The Cook County Department of Public Health is testing dead birds for WNV. Anyone wishing to have recently dead crows, blue jays, robins, cardinals, sparrows and some other types tested for virus should phone the Cook County Department of Public Health at (708) 492-2650.

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 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 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 like tire casings, birdbaths, flower pots and barrels that may produce mosquitoes. Un-maintained swimming pools may produce thousands of mosquitoes. Call the District to report stagnant water areas that remain wet for more than 7 days. Additional mosquito avoidance/control practices may be found at the District’s website: www.nwmadil.com

Mike Szyska

Director

PLEASE FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.