Mosquito Control Is Key to Fighting West Nile Virus

The Village of Norridge is again taking steps to minimize the impact of West Nile in our community with the implementation of an integrated pest management program that includes trapping and surveillance of mosquito populations, larviciding to prevent the development of larval mosquitoes and adulticiding to reduce the adult mosquito population.

Larviciding treatments began early in the mosquito season, where small amounts of larvicide were added to standing water and other mosquito habitats to prevent new generations of mosquitoes from forming. Mosquitoes can lay between 200-300 eggs at a time, and can reproduce very quickly. By larviciding early in the season, we are able to prevent hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes by season’s end.

Adulticiding treatments will begin mid-summer, when mosquito populations are at nuisance levels or indicate the presence of West Nile Virus. Adulticiding applications involve a very small amount of US EPA-registered products distributed in a fine mist.

About West Nile Virus

Symptoms of West Nile Virus are initially similar to the flu, with muscle weakness and disorientation. Though the majority of those infected will have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, in some individuals, West Nile Virus can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and in severe cases, paralysis, coma or death. The disease is most serious – even fatal – in those with compromised immune systems and the elderly.

If at any time you suspect that you may have contracted West Nile Virus, seek medical attention.

What Can Residents Do?

According to Clarke Mosquito Control, our partners in mosquito control, individuals can take the following steps to protect themselves against infection and assist in the fight against West Nile Virus:

• If outdoors when mosquitoes are active, dress in light-colored, long-sleeved clothing, long pants and socks when outdoors during prime mosquito hours. Apply mosquito repellent with DEET to clothing and exposed skin in accordance with label directions.
• Discard any outdoor container that might hold water, or empty water from wading pools and birdbaths once a week.
• Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well-trimmed around the house so adult mosquitoes will not hide there.
• Since dead birds (crows, blue jays and raptors) can be the first warning that West Nile Virus is present in the area, report dead birds on your property to the county health department at {insert phone number}.

For the latest information on West Nile Virus, consult the Illinois Department of Health website at www.idph.state.il.us . For questions about your community’s mosquito program, contact Clarke Mosquito Control at The Mosquito Hotline at 800.942.2555.

Wist Nile Brochure

• West Nile Brochure