Get Ready to Swat Away Pesky Swarms of Mosquitoes

April showers might bring May flowers, but May showers bring mosquitoes—lots and lots of mosquitoes.

With more than 3 inches of rain falling in Wheaton May 25-29, the Wheaton Mosquito Abatement District expects to see a rise in the number of nuisance mosquitoes soon, perhaps as early as next week.

According to an abatement district news release, floodwater mosquitoes lay their eggs in areas prone to flooding. When an area receives substantial rainfall, these eggs are flooded with water, causing them to hatch and begin their development into biting adults. Once they can fly, these floodwater mosquitoes spread over large areas. Cool temperatures could delay adult mosquito development and keep them inactive.

The Wheaton Mosquito Abatement District will be monitoring its seven adult mosquito traps to determine if and when a spray treatment might be necessary.

During May, the district’s service contractor inspected 491 potential mosquito breeding sites. Eighty-eight of these sites were actively breeding mosquitoes and were treated with a biological larvicide. This treatment prevents mosquito larvae from becoming biting adults. A second round of inspections and treatment is currently under way.

Abatement district officials encourage local residents to check their own property for standing water that could serve as breeding sites for mosquitoes. Some things can be done to help the district control mosquitoes are:

• Clear roof gutters of debris so that they drain properly.
• Repair leaky outdoor faucets.
• Change the water in bird baths at least once per week.
• Maintain outdoor pools and avoid water from collecting on pool covers.
• Maintain outdoor water structures such as ornamental ponds and fountains.
• Make sure that rain barrels are properly screened to prevent mosquito access. If screening is not present or in good repair, mosquitoes will enter the barrel and lay eggs that will develop into new adult mosquitoes.
• Check and empty any water collecting in children’s toys.
• Clean outdoor pet dishes regularly.
• Properly compost or dispose of yard waste. Grass clippings and other organic waste placed in wet areas frequently become attractive mosquito breeding sites.
• Store canoes and other boats upside down or tarp them to prevent water from collecting inside.
• Fill low spots in the yard that collect and hold water.
• Dispose of any tires or move them indoors. Tires can breed thousands of mosquitoes.
• Even the smallest containers that collect water can breed hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes (buckets, bottles, cans, trash can lids, flower pots, tree holes, etc.). If you can’t remove these containers, at least empty them weekly during wet weather. Eliminating the water will stop the development of mosquitoes into biting adults.

The Wheaton Mosquito Abatement District is a separate entity from the city of Wheaton. The district covers 23 square miles and includes most of Wheaton as well as sections of Carol Stream, Glendale Heights and unincorporated Milton Township. Clarke (www.clarke.com) has been contracted to provide all mosquito control services this year. Questions about the district’s mosquito control program should be directed to Clarke’s mosquito hotline at 800-942-2555.