NORTHWEST MOSQUITO ABATEMENT
DISTRICT
147
Phone: (847) 537-2306
Fax: (847) 537-2583
Mosquito Update
August 12, 2005
Human
West Nile virus (WNV) cases in
Based on the number of infected mosquitoes NWMAD has
been detecting and widespread distribution of WNV it is recommended that
Cities, Villages and other municipalities STRONGLY recommend that residents
limit their outdoor evening activities and wear appropriate insect repellents
if out during mosquito biting times!
The
Illinois Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public
Health have released warnings regarding the rapidly increasing risk of WNV to
humans. As the summer progresses it is
of utmost importance that cities, villages and municipalities continue their
warnings to residents regarding the threat of
PRESENT CONTROL STATUS:
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. Recent rains will once again provide additional Culex stagnant water production areas (for examples see: http://www.nwmadil.com/breeding sites1.htm). 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). NWMAD has completed a 2nd treatment of catch basins with Altosid Ingots (methoprene).
MOSQUITO VIRUS SURVEILLANCE
IN
NWMAD has tested (VecTest
& PCR) 596 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. Eleven human cases have been reported in
Mosquito batches testing
positive in the District are posted at the NWMAD website http://www.nwmadil.com/VECTEST1.htm.
ADULTICIDING (Night
Spraying Operation):
All Townships within the
NWMAD territory have been sprayed multiple times based on the detection of WNV
infected mosquitoes. To date Townships
and/or parts of Townships have been sprayed on the following dates based on
infected mosquito surveillance and Culex
mosquito abundance:
Western NWMAD portion of
Nightly spraying schedules
can be viewed at the following website: http://www.nwmadil.com/District_map_Current.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 316 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
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