NORTHWEST MOSQUITO ABATEMENT
DISTRICT
147
Phone: (847) 537-2306
Fax: (847) 537-2583
Mosquito Update
July 21, 2006
Flavivirus
outbreaks like WNV and St. Louis encephalitis typically occur during hot
summers. We are now experiencing weather
conditions similar to that which occurred during the 2002 outbreak (although
rainfall amounts & frequency are above 2002 levels). Human cases of WNV in Illinois also appear to
increase whenever temperatures exceed normal levels during the months of July,
August and September. Elevated
temperatures appear to promote and accelerate WNV mosquito vector populations
and/or transmission activities in
DIRECTOR’S
NOTE:
It would appear,
based on recent virus detections, WNV is entering the amplification stage
whereby infected mosquitoes and birds will increase very rapidly. The risk of human infection will also
increase as the likelihood of an opportunistic blood feeding mosquito feeding
on a human also increases. IT IS
THEREFORE PARAMOUNT THAT RESIDENTS PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM MOSQUITO BITES AT
THIS TIME AND THROUGH THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER! CITIES, VILLAGES AND MUNICIPALITIES SHOULD
ALSO WARN RESIDENTS OF THIS INCREASING RISK!
PRESENT CONTROL STATUS:
CULEX MOSQUITOES
Culex mosquito numbers continue to increase due to the warmer temperatures and frequent rainfall. 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).
MOSQUITO VIRUS SURVEILLANCE
IN
NWMAD has tested (VecTest) 520
batches of mosquitoes for West Nile Virus,
The Illinois Department of
Public Health (IDPH) reports: 31
counties with mosquitoes or birds testing positive for WNV. There are 186 WNV positive mosquito samples reported
from
ADULTICIDING (Night
Spraying Operation):
Targeted, focal adulticiding
was performed on July 13th & 18th in
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
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.