NORTHWEST MOSQUITO
ABATEMENT DISTRICT
147 W. Hintz Rd.
Wheeling, IL. 60090
Phone: (847) 537-2306
Fax: (847) 537-2583
www.nwmadil.com
Mosquito Update
July 11, 2008
PRESENT CONTROL STATUS:
NUISANCE MOSQUITOES
Nuisance floodwater mosquitoes (Aedes vexans) are starting to decrease due to ongoing control efforts and an aging population. This trend is expected to continue as long as no significant rainfalls hatch more eggs of this mosquito and migration of mosquitoes from flood areas outside of NWMAD are limited (i.e. prevailing winds). Some of our northern traps show evidence of floodwater mosquito incursions from counties to the north of our District. The recent rain on 7/11 of 1-1.5 inches will likely produce more floodwater mosquitoes locally if warmer and drier weather doesn’t evaporate water areas before the mosquito aquatic life cycle is complete or we can treat all the infested water areas. Typically, as we move into July, and rainfall events become less frequent, floodwater mosquito annoyance decreases; usually not reappearing until August rains hatch more floodwater broods. All of this will be dependent on future rainfall and temperatures which have been very unpredictable thus far in 2008.
Crews are continuing to treat infested water areas for the developing mosquito larvae with methoprene, MMFG & Bti after each rainfall.
CULEX MOSQUITOES
Culex mosquitoes are comparatively
low compared to prior WNV years normally typical this time of the season as
indicated by gravid traps. Residents
of the District are still 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 with methoprene pellets, MMFG, Bti & Bacillus sphericus. Catch basin
treatments are near completion. Culex pipiens larvae have been prevalent
in ditches culverts and other stagnant water areas after rainfalls and these
are being treated at the same time as the nuisance mosquitoes after rainfalls.
Crews have completed 1 pass
of adulticiding through the District.
Heavily forested areas continue to be problem areas especially in the
northern & southwestern portions of the District where we are also getting
floodwater mosquito migrations in from areas outside the District. Unlike Culex
mosquitoes, that don’t migrate long distances, floodwater mosquitoes may travel
several miles in a single evening making them difficult to control. Adulticiding is likely to continue weather
permitting if counts consistently start to increase.
Mosquito batches testing positive for these viruses in the NWMAD territory will be posted at the following website address: http://www.nwmadil.com/VECTEST2008.htm . Currently NWMAD has tested 221 batches of mosquitoes for West Nile virus (WNV) and all have been negative.
No human cases of WNV have been reported in the State of Illinois in 2008.
The Illinois Department of
Public Health has reported that 23 batches of mosquitoes tested positive for
West Nile virus (WNV) from the Cook (14 batches), Dupage, Tazwell, Adams,
Jackson, Winnebago & St. Clair counties thus far in 2008. 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
Check night time mosquito
spraying schedules: http://www.nwmadil.com/nitespry_map.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. Make sure rain
barrels or other storm water runoff cisterns are fitted properly when installed,
well screened, free of detritus or organic material and mosquito-proof. 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
PLEASE FORWARD
THIS INFORMATION TO APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.