NORTHWEST MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT

147 W. Hintz Rd.

Wheeling, IL. 60090

Phone: (847) 537-2306

Fax: (847) 537-2583

www.nwmadil.com

Mosquito Update

September 2, 2003

PRESENT CONTROL STATUS:

Nuisance mosquitoes (Aedes vexans) are low in the single digits from light traps. This trend is expected to continue since no significant rains have occurred and crews have treated priority floodwater sites with insect growth regulator residuals. The Labor Day holiday should have below average numbers of mosquitoes.

Warm temperatures and dry conditions continue to produce Culex mosquitoes in our District. Larviciding efforts with the insect growth regulator methoprene and the microbial Bacillus sphericus have been directed at the Culex mosquitoes. Present vector Culex mosquito numbers and continuing detection of WNV infected mosquito batches still indicate a significant risk of human infection especially in Northfield, Wheeling, Maine and Elk Grove Townships. Residents NEED to practice MOSQUITO AVOIDANCE outdoors where mosquitoes are biting. Mosquito repellents are recommended strongly at this point in time!

Homeowners should be strongly urged to remove any stagnating water on their property that may produce these mosquitoes. Culex mosquito numbers increase this time of the season. Virtually any water container (i.e. flower pots, garbage cans, pails, bird baths, un-maintained swimming pools, catch basins, etc) containing organic debris like leaves or grass can produce hundreds of these mosquitoes in about a week’s time during warm temperatures. Homeowners should also avoid watering lawns near open ditches or low areas that may cause water to accumulate in culverts under roadways.

ADULT MOSQUITO SPRAYING

The entire NWMAD District has been sprayed. Multiple focal sprayings (up to 4X) have been performed in areas where WNV infected mosquito batches; dead birds and high Culex mosquito numbers were present. Infected mosquitoes have been detected District-wide. This is necessary to help reduce the number of Culex mosquitoes already infected with WNV. Nightly spray schedules are available at our website www.nwmadil.com and updated by 3 PM each day. Alternately, residents can call us at (847) 537-2306 and listen to a schedule by selecting phone option “5” when they hear the recorded message.

NOTE: Adult mosquito spraying (adulticiding) will continue to be performed based on WNV surveillance activities and suitable weather conditions. Predicted cooler temperatures may delay the re-start of this operation.

HUMAN CASES OF WNV

Two human cases of WNV have been reported in Illinois according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Cases were from Macoupin and Champaign counties.

Please keep in mind that due to delays in confirming and reporting human WNV cases, at this point in time, we must assume that human infections are occurring in our area due to the continued detection of infected mosquitoes!

MOSQUITO VIRUS SURVEILLANCE IN ILLINOIS

NWMAD has tested 856 Culex mosquito batches to date for West Nile Virus (WNV), St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) and Eastern Equine encephalitis (EEE) using the VecTest. 32 mosquito batches have tested positive for WNV so far. Mosquitoes testing positive in the District are posted on the NWMAD website http://www.nwmadil.com/VECTEST1.htm

The Illinois Department of Public Health currently reports: 88 infected mosquito batches.

DEAD BIRD SURVIELLANCE INFORMATION:

As of this writing 631 dead birds have have been reported to our website. NWMAD dead bird report website can be accessed at: http://www.nwmadil.com/Dead Birds.html Current 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 Illinois Department of Public Health currently reports: 67 WNV infected birds and 2 WNV infected horses in Illinois.

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 7 days or longer like: tire casings, birdbaths, flowerpots and barrels that may produce mosquitoes. 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