Village Begins Mosquito Treatments

Last month was the second wettest May in Chicago history, and while it did wonders for the grass and flowers, we are now paying the price in the form of floodwater mosquitoes. These pesky biters lay their eggs singly in low-lying areas that will eventually be flooded. 

"The bad thing about floodwater mosquitoes is that they can fly up 10 to 15 miles from where they hatched," said Stan Balicki, the Downers Grove's  assistant public works director. "To help combat mosquitoes, the village is placed Altosid larvicide tablets in stormwater inlets last Friday. We find it to be the most effective way to control mosquitoes."

The  EPA-approved Altosid  prevents the emergence of breeding, biting adults without impacting the food chain or  non-targeted species. It causes no harm to residents.

Culex mosquitoes, which carry West Nile Virus, usually don't make an appearance until August or September, Balicki said. The DuPage County Health Department sets traps throughout the county to check for the  species, but as of June 7, this map shows no West Nile-carrying mosquitoes in the area.

Unlike floodwater mosquitoes, culex mosquitoes can only fly one to two miles from where they hatched, making them easier to monitor and eliminate.

Balicki expects mosquitoes to be as bad this summer, if not worse, than last year. And they will be around in some shape or form until the first hard freeze in the fall.

To help prevent West Nile Virus, the Centers for Disease Control recommendthe following:

• When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient. Follow the directions on the package.
• Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants or consider staying indoors during these hours.
• Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used.