Remember July 4th weekend, Sun Citians? Mosquitoes were probably all over you in your backyard, in the park, at a fireworks show. The reason? Wet weather. June was the wettest month in Chicago history.
Now recall last weekend. Dry Weather. Grass turning brown, flowers wilting. The mosquitoes? Not so bad.
This just proves the obvious – mosquitoes and water go together like fireworks shows and traffic jams.
If you have been tormented by swarms of the insects, you may ask why you rarely see spraying or abatement activities in your neighborhood. Actually, in the spring and summer months, there is lots of activity by the village and its mosquito abatement contractor. Residents even have the opportunity to call a hotline and request specific treatment at or near their home.
The Sun Day recently caught up with George Balis, regional manager for Clarke Environmental. His firm has mosquito abatement contracts with many area communities – Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, among others – to conduct treatment programs in the spring and summer season.
“Mosquito treatment programs start early in the spring,” Balis said. “We start early to suppress mosquito populations and reduce the risk of West Nile Virus. We also conduct surveillance programs, mosquito breeding sites are mapped and traps are set to count and test mosquito samples throughout the year.
“Adult mosquito control, commonly referred to as mosquito ‘spraying,’ takes place when trap counts or the presence of West Nile Virus reach established levels. This work is done in the evenings or overnight, so we don’t interfere with daytime activity or endanger people. Typically, all village public roads are treated or ‘sprayed’ during the summer four times.
“The village of Huntley public works department also is involved in mosquito abatement,” he added. “They treat standing water sites and storm drains with long-lasting bacterial larvicides (tablets) in early summer. This prevents mosquito larvae from developing into adults.
“To protect against nuisance mosquitoes or mosquito-borne disease like West Nile, residents are encouraged to use EPA-approved repellents, to eliminate standing water around their homes, and to wear long pants and sleeves at dusk and dawn, prime times for mosquito activity.”
Finally, he said residents that wish to report standing water or be notified prior to adult mosquito control applications should call the Clarke Mosquito Hotline. The toll-free number is 800-942-2555.
