Health Department Offers Mosquito Prevention Tips

Submitted by the Will County Health Department

National Mosquito Control Awareness Week is June 21 to 27, and the Will County Health Department is offering tips to help area residents reduce mosquito breeding right where they live.

Summer heat and occasional rainfall can create ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. National Mosquito Control Awareness Week (sponsored by the American Mosquito Control Association), is designed to raise awareness about strategies that can reduce mosquito breeding and provide protection against mosquito-borne diseases.

Most of the 14 monitoring sites operated by Will County Environmental Health are already producing plenty of adult mosquitoes capable of transmitting disease and creating a nuisance. Fortunately, area residents can fight back.

1 TIP. Reduce standing water to eliminate mosquito threats. Pay special attention to potential breeding spaces in children’s sand boxes, wagons

Or plastic toys; underneath or around downspouts, plant saucers and pet food containers. Other hot spots include: gutters, flat roofs and low ground underneath decks and porches.

2 TOSS. Remove excess grass, leaves, firewood and yard clippings. Lawn debris can create places for water to accumulate.

3 TURN. Turn over larger yard items that can hold water. These items include portable sand boxes and plastic toys.

4 REMOVE TARPS. If tarps stretched over firewood piles, boats, grills, or sports equipment aren’t taut, they’re holding water. Always shake out tarps immediately following a rainstorm.

Mosquito-borne West Nile Virus (WNV) could be a significant threat later this summer. There were more than 2,100 U.S. human WNV cases and 85 fatalities reported during 2014. Illinois confirmed 42 human cases and four fatalities a year ago.

No WNV-positive mosquitoes have been identified in Will County, but samples collected from Cook, Macon and St. Clair counties have already tested positive.

Protect yourself against WNV by wearing long sleeves, pants, shoes and socks when spending time outdoors. Insect repellent is also advised.

You can learn more information about WNV, and report the location of dead birds to the Will County WNV Information line.

The automated service is available 24 hours daily at 815-740-7631.