West Nile Prevention Efforts Continue
The City’s effort against West Nile Virus is nearly year-round program. From early spring through late fall, multiple City departments and sister agencies meet regularly to assess past efforts and improve methods of disease surveillance and mosquito control. This year’s West Nile prevention efforts, on the same track as the successful strategy of recent years, include:
Larviciding Catch Basins. The slow-dissolving briquettes will, for the next few months, prevent large amounts of mosquito larvae from developing into biting adults.
Totals for this year include:
- 210,000 catch basins in the public way by the Department of Water Management.
- 3,000 catch basins not in the public way by the Department of General Services.
- 5,720 catch basins in the Chicago Park District.
- 8,800 catch basins in the Chicago Public Schools properties.
- 3,590 catch basins in the Chicago Housing Authority properties.
- 1,100 catch basins in the Chicago Transit Authority properties.
The Chicago Department of Public Health call upon all Chicagoans to take commonsense precautions to avoid mosquito bite, specifically:
- eliminating standing water that lasts more than four days.
- turning over wheelbarrows and plastic wading pools when not in use.
- cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools and keeping water from collecting on pool covers.
- removing items that may hold water, including buckets, metal cans, plastic containers, old tires, bottles, jars, cups, and saucers placed under flower pots.
- ensuring that rain gutters and downspouts are not clogged.
- changing the water in birdbaths and pets’ water bowls every three to four days.
- keeping grass and bushes trimmed, and filling in low spots on lawns.
- checking to see that all screen on doors and windows are tight fitting and free of holes and tears.
- encouraging neighbors to help eliminate standing water on their properties.
- CDPH officials also call upon all Chicagoans to take commonsense precautions to avoid mosquito bites, specifically:
- Use insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon eucalyptus.
- Consider limiting outdoor activity after dark (dusk to dawn), which is when Northern House Mosquito is most active.
- When outside between dusk and dawn, wear loose-fitting, light colored clothing that includes long pants, long-sleeved shirts, socks and shoes.
- Check to see that all screen on doors and windows are tight-fitting and free of holes and tears.
Related Links:
What is West Nile Virus?
Mosquitoes
The City’s effort against West Nile Virus is nearly year-round program. From early spring through late fall, multiple City departments and sister agencies meet regularly to assess past efforts and improve methods of disease surveillance and mosquito control. This year’s West Nile prevention efforts, on the same track as the successful strategy of recent years, include:
