Biting Back Against the Mosquito Population

An extra, late summer mosquito spraying will take place Thursday as part of St. Charles' efforts to hold back the biting bug population.

On Aug. 23, the Government Services Committee approved an extra spraying at a cost of an additional $10,100 to be conducted this Thursday night by Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management. With the added spraying, the city is on track to reach the estimated $100,000 total budgeted amount for this year's mosquito abatement program.

Richard Gallas, assistant director of the Public Works Department, said it has been one of the wettest summers on record–perfect conditions for mosquitoes to breed.

"If you have one mosquito on Memorial Day, that one mosquito can be responsible for a million mosquitoes on Labor Day," said Clarke spokeswoman Laura McGowan.

Gallas said the number of complaints from residents has gone down from earlier in the summer, but an additional spraying to ward off mosquitoes will give them some added relief on Labor Day.

"I think what happens any time you have standing water in any particular area, you're going to see an increase in the number of mosquitoes," Gallas said.

To combat the flying pests, a multi-step system is in place. Traps monitor the number of mosquitoes, and sprayings combat the adult and larval populations.

The Kane County Health Department says no resident in the county or Illinois has reported having the West Nile virus this year, but the department has found mosquitoes infected with the virus within Kane county.

"I just stay in the house," said St. Charles resident Janet English, who was downtown on Friday. She said she understands about the problems the pervasive bugs can cause.

English said the best way for her to avoid getting bit is to avoid mosquitoes altogether. When she does get bit, the bites usually turn into welts that last for weeks.

The best way to protect yourself, McGowan said, is to use repellents containing the chemical compound DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. The health department advises residents to frequently empty bird baths, gutters or other places water might collect.