Village Of Mokena: Mosquito Control Update

MOKENA, IL — Significant rainfall paired with rising temperatures last month and earlier this month to create a bumper crop of mosquitos, but that doesn’t mean the blood-sucking insects have won the war.

Mokena’s annual seasonal program to prevent mosquito breeding and suppress mosquito populations—including those that carry mosquito-borne diseases such as the West Nile virus—is well underway.

The Village has a contract with St. Charles-based Clarke Environmental that provides for the treatment of Mokena’s storm drains with larvicides to prevent mosquito eggs from developing and reduce subsequent flying, biting mosquito populations.

With environmental protection and safety top of mind, Mokena has chosen to utilize Clarke’s Natular XRT larvicide, a highly effective, naturally derived product that is registered with the EPA and listed with the Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI).

But the battle isn’t won with a community mosquito treatment program alone. There are additionally numerous actions you can take as an individual to protect and persevere in the fight against these annoying pests.

To help prevent mosquito bites, public health officials recommend taking the following personal protective measures:

• Wear CDC-recommended repellents such as DEET, picaridin, IR-3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Wear long sleeved shirts and pants.
• Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn.

In addition, you can reduce mosquito populations around your home this summer by taking the following steps:

• Removing or emptying water that has collected in old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles, or other places where mosquitoes might breed.
• Emptying plastic wading pools at least once a week and storing indoors when not in use.
• Changing water weekly in bird baths, plant saucers, and trays.
• Emptying and refilling outdoor water bowls used by pets daily.

This press release was produced by the Village of Mokena. The views expressed here are the author’s own.