Despite the economic challenges, the Village has continued with the same aggressive and comprehensive mosquito abatement program that has been provided in prior years. The Village and its contractor Clarke Environmental undertake the following monitoring and treatment activities throughout the year.
- Ongoing trap counts and monitoring of standing bodies of water through-out the season.
- Larviciding activities to kill mosquito larvae before they become adults. This includes chemical applications in standing bodies of water, stocking retention ponds with over 22,000 mosquito eating fish, and putting altosoid briquettes into storm water catch basins.
- Finally, there is targeted adulticiding through the use of back-pack and truck spray applications. Clarke monitors information on mosquitoes from across the region, coupled with their computerized models to predict new broods being hatched, and coordination between spraying in different communities, to try and determine the appropriate time to utilize a truck spray. Unfortunately the truck spray application is the most ineffective method of control as the spray droplets need to touch the mosquitoes in order to kill them.
The large rain events occurring throughout the summer, coupled with reductions or eliminations of some mosquito abatement activities by other entities around the Village, has resulted in an increase in the mosquito population. For example the Forest Preserves do not conduct mosquito abatement activities, and with a flight range of 2 - 6 miles, those mosquitoes can continue to breed and impact the Village.
Residents can assist in controlling the mosquito population, and protect themselves, by taking some simple steps:
- When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, as well as light colored long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
- Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and to keep them shut, especially at night.
- Keep your yard cut short and bushes trimmed so adult mosquitoes will not hide there.
- Discard old tires, tin cans, buckets, bottles, and other water-holding containers.
- Keep gutters and drains clean so that water will drain properly. Repair leaky pipes and faucets.
- Cover trash containers to keep out rainwater.
- Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week and store indoors when not in use.
- Change the water in birdbaths and plant pots at least once a week and stock ornamental ponds with mosquito eating fish or use mosquito larvae control products.
Please report concerns or issues through Clarke Environmental’s toll free hotline at 800-942-2555 in order to assist in centralizing the tracking and monitoring of issues and questions. Other questions can be directed to the Public Works Department at 630-719-4753.
The Village contracts with Clarke Environmental for mosquito control. Residents can call (800) 942-2555 if they have any questions or concerns about spraying or any other portion of the mosquito abatement program.
For West Nile Virus Information: Illinois Department of Agriculture
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: West Nile Virus Home Page
Your best bet for preventing West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses is to avoid exposure to mosquitoes and eliminate mosquito-breeding sites. To help control West Nile virus:
- Eliminate standing water in your yard. Mosquitoes breed in pools of standing water.
- Unclog roof gutters.
- Empty unused swimming pools.
- Change water in birdbaths at least weekly.
- Remove old tires or any unused containers that might hold water and serve as a breeding place for mosquitoes.
- Watch for sick or dying birds and report them to the Health Department at (630) 682-7400 (ask for a Westmont office Sanitarian).
To reduce your own exposure to mosquitoes:
- Avoid unnecessary outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most prevalent, such as at dawn, dusk and early evening.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you go into mosquito-infested areas.
- Apply mosquito repellent with a 10 percent to 30 percent concentration of DEET to your skin and clothing. Choose the concentration based on the hours of protection you need - a 10 percent concentration is effective for about two hours, while higher concentrations last longer. Keep in mind that chemical repellants can be toxic, and use only the amount needed for the time you'll be outdoors. Don't use DEET on the hands of young children or on infants under 2 months of age. Instead, cover your infant's stroller or playpen with mosquito netting when outside. According to the CDC, oil of lemon eucalyptus, a more natural product, offers the same protection as DEET when used in similar concentrations.