Mosquito Larva Control Operation Planned For Parts Of Skokie

SKOKIE, IL — The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District plans to spray for mosquito larva Wednesday night in southeastern portions of Skokie, the district announced. The operation is targeting the species of mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus, Culex, to prevent them from reaching their adult stage.

The wide-area larval mosquito control operation is scheduled to take place between 9 p.m. and midnight, weather permitting, in an area bounded by Oakton Street to the south, Dempster Street to the north, McCormick Boulevard to the east and Crawford Avenue to the west.

According to the northern Cook County public body, the operation applies the mosquito growth regulator Altosid SR-20 via our ultra-low volume equipment. It aims to reach mosquito breeding sources difficult to effectively treat with traditional methods, according to the district.

As of July 22, two of the 191 batches of mosquitoes collected by the district in Skokie and tested so far this year have tested positive for West Nile virus. Six of 233 Evanston batches have tested positive, two of the 69 collected in Lincolnwood and one of four in Niles so far, according to data provided by the district.

There have been no human cases of West Nile virus reported in Illinois so far this year, and cases of nuisance mosquitoes are down compared to last year.

District officials emphasized the risk of contracting West Nile remains low, but urged residents to examine property around their homes to eliminate anything that might easily hold standing water and provide a fertile mosquito breeding ground.

Map of areas of the village set for July 29 anti-mosquito operations: