NUISANCE MOSQUITO CONTROL

Nuisance mosquito numbers remain very low averaging in the single digits in our New Jersey light traps. Control efforts and the ongoing dry spell are responsible for the low numbers.

CULEX MOSQUITOES

Culex mosquito numbers continue to increase due to the warmer temperatures. Elevated temperatures accelerate Culex development in stagnant water areas as well as the risk for WNV. Residents are strongly advised to inspect & eliminate all stagnant water areas from their properties that may produce these mosquitoes every week through the months of July-September. Any container that holds water and organic debris for greater than 7 days can produce many of these mosquitoes.

Stagnant water mosquito producing sites (detention/retention ponds, ditches, building foundations & container sources) will be treated with the microbial insecticide Bacillus sphaericus and the insect growth regulator methoprene (a.k.a. Altosid).

DIRECTOR’S NOTE: I wish to once again thank all the villages, cities and municipalities that participated in sending us information regarding off-road catch basins & new construction developments (specifically tear-downs). These are all important potential Culex production areas that should be inspected for standing water and treated accordingly.

MOSQUITO VIRUS SURVEILLANCE IN ILLINOIS

NWMAD has tested (VecTest) 329 batches of mosquitoes for West Nile Virus, St. Louis and Eastern Equine encephalitis. Infected batches of mosquitoes were collected 2-Wheeling 1-Des Plaines, 2-Palatine, 1-Northbrook, 1- Rolling Meadows, 2- Elk Grove Village gravid traps and were positive for WNV via the District’s VecTest assay. Samples will be shipped out for confirmatory testing by Illinois Natural History RT-PCR testing and additional Culex collections and testing follow-ups will be performed.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports: 21 counties with mosquitoes or birds testing positive for WNV. There are 49 WNV positive mosquito samples reported from Illinois. Mosquito batches testing positive in the District are posted at the NWMAD website http://www.nwmadil.com/VECTEST1.htm.

ADULTICIDING (Night Spraying Operation):

Adulticiding has been performed in portions of Wheeling, Palatine, Maine, Elk Grove, Barrington Townships and the Western portion of Northbrook due to the detection of WNV mosquitoes. Additional adulticiding will be based on infected mosquito surveillance and Culex population densities.

Nightly spraying schedules can be viewed at the following website: http://www.nwmadil.com/District_map1.html. Alternately, a recorded phone message describing our scheduled nighttime spray program can be reached at (847) 537-2306 and pressing “5” on your telephone keypad. More information regarding our Adulticiding program may be viewed at: http://www.nwmadil.com/Night Spray info1.html

DEAD BIRD SURVIELLANCE INFORMATION:

NWMAD has received 163 dead bird reports from Cities, Villages and the Public.

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 and blue jays tested for virus should phone the Cook County Department of Public Health at (708) 492-2650

WEST NILE VIRUS PRECAUTIONS STILL URGED!

Flavivirus outbreaks like WNV and St. Louis encephalitis typically occur during hot, dry summers. We are now experiencing weather conditions similar to that which occurred during the 2002 outbreak. Human cases of WNV in Illinois also appear to increase whenever temperatures exceeded normal levels during the months of July, August and September. Elevated temperatures and dry conditions appear to promote and accelerate WNV vector populations and/or transmission activities in Illinois. We must not discount weather conditions that are similar to the 2002 outbreak season that may once again create conditions favorable for significant WNV activity.

It is therefore, extremely important that residents eliminate stagnant water on their properties that may produce additional Culex mosquitoes and implement appropriate mosquito avoidance activities (see below) during the months of July-September. Residents 50 years and older and individuals with compromised immune systems are especially susceptible to the more serious complications of WNV.

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.