No Pesticide Spraying In Lakewood This Year

The Village of Lakewood began mosquito abatement in May, when the Public Works Department began installing mosquito larvicide briquettes in all Village catch basins and standing water in street rights-of-way.

The larvicide prevents mosquito larvae from developing into adult mosquitoes. The larvicide briquettes are to be reapplied as required throughout the season.

The Village will not be spraying pesticides for adult mosquitoes this season due to financial constraints and the minimal benefit provided. Residents are requested to remove all standing water from yards, toys, furniture, play structures, clogged gutters, flower pot saucers, and any items that are not moved regularly. This will prevent breeding ground needed by the mosquitoes.

Residents are also advised that there are numerous mosquito control products available to the public such as yard foggers, insect sprays, barrier sprays, repellents containing DEET, non-DEET repellents recognized by the CDC, along with microbial and chemical larval control for use in standing water.

There are numerous kinds of mosquitoes and in Illinois the most common species is the inland floodwater mosquito, which is not believed to be a significant vector for West Nile virus. The Aedes (flood water) mosquitoes are annoying, aggressive biters that appear shortly after heavy rains.

It is the Culex mosquitoes that are associated with West Nile virus. They breed in stagnant water and thrive in hot, dry weather. Their eggs can be flushed away by heavy rains before they hatch.