Naperville Mosquito Control Program Now Underway

As summer approaches, the city of Naperville’s mosquito abatement program is well underway.

To help control mosquitoes, city crews will inspect for and remove standing water and treat ponds, marsh areas and catch basins throughout the city as needed. Crews will also monitor the mosquito population on a weekly basis through the use of mosquito traps to evaluate the effectiveness of larval control, provide early warnings for when adult populations are rising and also test for West Nile Virus.

When necessary, the city will also utilize spraying to control the population of adult mosquitoes. In these cases, the city uses the safest sprays available only as needed and in very low volumes.

The Department of Public Works sets 15 traps citywide, and mosquitoes from those traps are tested on a weekly basis for West Nile Virus. This mosquito-borne virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird.

Most people who are infected with the West Nile Virus have no symptoms or experience very mild symptoms three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Mild symptoms include a fever, headache and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands. Less than one percent of infected people with West Nile Virus will develop severe symptoms. Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.

The best way to prevent West Nile disease or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Precautions include:

• Whenever outdoors between dusk and dawn, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Loose fitting, light-colored clothing is best.
• Use mosquito repellant containing 25 percent to 35 percent DEET when it is necessary to be outdoors, applied sparingly to skin or clothing, as indicated on the repellant label. Consult a physician before using repellants on young children.
• Check for and repair any tears in residential screens, including porches and patios.
• Eliminate stagnant water in birdbaths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles in which mosquitoes might breed.
• Be sure to keep roof gutters clear of debris, grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around your home to eliminate mosquito hiding places.

For more information on the city of Naperville’s Mosquito Control Program, visit www.naperville.il.us/mosquitocontrol.aspx.For more information on the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us.

Submitted by the city of Naperville