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Mosquito Abatement
The
Village of Wauconda contracts with Clarke Mosquito Control to
administer the Environmental Mosquito Management™ Program. It is an
extensive integrated pest management plan that includes inspections,
surveillance of mosquito populations, and treatments for both larval
and adult mosquito control. Our program is based on disease
prevention. Our program with Clarke does NOT eradicate the mosquito
population, but controls it to prevent West Nile Virus. Our program
does NOT eliminate nuisance mosquitoes. Our primary goal is to
protect public health.
Surveillance and Monitoring
Larval Control
Adult Mosquito Management
West Nile Virus
What Residents Can Do
Neighboring Areas
For More Information
Surveillance and Monitoring
Clarke Mosquito Control conducts ten inspections during the mosquito
season of up to 118 sites within the Village for mosquito breeding.
GIS System mapping and aerial surveys from a helicopter assist in
determining possible mosquito breeding sites.
Clarke employs a Targeted Mosquito Management System computer
database and site management system to track the information needed
to administer the program for the Village of Wauconda. Records are
kept that track the sites that produce larvae, the various species
of mosquitoes found, the type of habitat developing larvae, plus
other pertinent data.
Larval
Control
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, larval
control is an effective way to reduce mosquito populations. Larval
treatments are administered to prevent the larva from developing
into an adult mosquito. The sites receiving larval treatment are
determined from the surveillance and monitoring activities.
In
addition, Clarke treats 733 catch basins, inlets and manholes with a
larvicide treatment four times during the mosquito season. The
treatment is a 30-day slow release insecticide and is started in
early summer to prevent larval development.
Adult Mosquito Management
Three community wide adulticiding treatments (sprayings) are
typically conducted each year and additional treatments may be
applied at Cook’s Park prior to WaucondaFest and the July 4th
celebration. The results of each year’s surveillance and monitoring
will determine the need for adulticiding treatments for that
particular year. The adulticiding treatments are scheduled based
upon the numbers and types of mosquitoes found.
West
Nile Virus
The
Culex pipiens, or house mosquito, is the predominant species of
mosquito that carries the West Nile Virus. It is a mosquito that
flies and feeds at dusk or in the evening. It tends to breed in
stagnant water such as that found in containers - old tires,
birdbaths that haven’t been cleaned, ditches with decaying leaves or
grass, boats with rainwater, pools that haven’t been cleaned or do
not have chlorine, and other stagnant waters. Wetlands are not
considered a source of Culex mosquitoes because the water in a
wetland is clean. They can, however, breed “nuisance” mosquitoes.
For more information on West Nile Virus, including signs and
symptoms, please consult the Illinois Department of Public Health
website at
www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm.
The
Aedes vexan mosquito is the most common mosquito and that is the
mosquito that hatches after a rainfall. However, it is NOT
considered a significant vector of West Nile Virus. It is considered
a “nuisance” mosquito. Aedes vexan mosquitoes can breed in normally
dry areas that have become flooded with rainwater. They can also
breed in wetlands, tall grasses, forests, and other densely
vegetated areas. The eggs of the Aedes mosquito can lie dormant for
months. When it rains, the eggs can then resume their lifecycle and
develop into adult mosquitoes. Air temperatures and water levels
have an effect on this process. Generally speaking, for each day it
rains, we can expect a new brood of mosquitoes to emerge around 7-14
days later and each brood lives about 3 weeks.
What Residents Can Do
In
addition to the mosquito control conducted by Clarke, residents are
also asked to eliminate any standing water on their properties.
Residents can reduce their risk of contracting West Nile Virus by
taking these precautions:
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Get rid of old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles or any
water-holding containers.
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Fill in or drain low places (puddles, ruts, etc.) in the yard.
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Keep drains, ditches and culverts free of weeds and trash so water
will drain properly.
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Keep roof gutters free of leaves and other debris.
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Cover trash containers to keep out rainwater.
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Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets.
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Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week and store indoors
when not in use.
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Unused swimming pools should be drained and kept dry during the
mosquito season.
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Fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water.
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Change the water in birdbaths and plant pots or drip trays at
least once each week.
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Store boats covered or upside down, or remove rainwater weekly.
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Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
so adult mosquitoes will not hide there.
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Make sure ornamental ponds have fish that eat mosquito larvae.
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Repair window screens.
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When outdoors in the evening or when mosquitoes are biting, use
personal protection measures to prevent mosquito bites (proper use
of insect repellent and appropriate clothing).
For
more information on insect repellents, please consult the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention website at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/mosquitorepellent.htm.
To
control mosquitoes in your yard, it often takes only the effects of
a fan. Mosquitoes have difficulty flying in windy conditions. A fan
set up to blow across your patio or deck can be effective in
controlling mosquitoes while you are enjoying those areas. If you
prefer to use an insecticide, Clarke recommends using a hose sprayer
type application as opposed to an aerosol-type fogger. A fogger may
only provide relief for a few hours. A hose sprayer can be used to
apply insecticide to the bushes, trees, and plants around the
property. It will leave a residual on the foliage that can repel
mosquitoes for a much longer period of time. The product labels
indicate that mosquitoes may be repelled for up to a month. Applying
this insecticide to the grass will not provide any long term relief
due to the fact that the dew every morning will wash off the
insecticide. Similarly, rain will also wash away any residual.
When
looking for an insecticide to control mosquitoes in your yard, look
for one that lists permethrin as the active ingredient and uses a
hose sprayer type application. Insecticides containing malathion are
not recommended. Always be sure to read the entire label carefully
and apply only according to label instructions.
Neighboring Areas
We
are fortunate in that Clarke has accounts with communities that
border the Village of Wauconda. The downside is that some of these
communities do not have the same level of treatment. For example,
some only conduct treatment for disease carrying mosquitoes. They
may NOT treat for nuisance mosquitoes at all. Some communities only
conduct larvicide treatment. They may NOT do any adult control
(spraying). Generally speaking, higher numbers of mosquitoes can be
found along the outside edges of the Village as compared to fewer
numbers found in more interior areas of the Village.
For More Information
Clarke Mosquito Control has a hotline established to answer all
residents’ questions and concerns. The number is 1-800-942-2555.
Please feel free to call them anytime for additional general
information or for more specific information regarding your
particular subdivision. They can give you detailed information about
the numbers and types of mosquitoes found in your area and the
methods they are using to control them. Residents can also be
notified directly by Clarke prior to each spray application. You can
also consult their website at
http://www.clarkemosquito.com.
Wauconda Village Hall
101 N. Main Street
Wauconda, IL 60084
(847) 526-9600
Fax: (847) 526-8809
COPYRIGHT © 2005, All Rights Reserved
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