After the Deluge: Mosquitoes becoming a nuisance
July 11,2008
St. Charles County
Now that the floodwaters are receding across St. Charles County, stagnant pools of water are becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The county’s Mosquito Control Program is monitoring the situation, and taking steps where possible to alleviate the problem.
“Our spray trucks have been deployed in mosquito-infested areas to help control the adult mosquito population,” said Pieter Sheehan, the Environmental Public Health Manager at the Department of Community Health and the Environment.
“Unfortunately, there are still some roads that are covered by water or other debris so our vehicles are not able to get into those areas. We will continue to keep an eye on those areas, and get in there with our spray trucks as soon as possible. In addition, we will be treating standing water in accessible areas with larvicide to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.”
Residents can also do their part to help control mosquitoes by eliminating any standing water near their homes. This includes old tires, birdbaths, wading pools, and clogged gutters. When venturing
into mosquito-infested areas, be sure to apply an insect repellant containing DEET.
With mosquitoes comes concern about West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. However, the mosquitoes emerging from the floodwaters are just a nuisance and do not typically carry disease. The mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus and other infections are generally not seen in our area until late summer and early fall.
Residents who are concerned about mosquito infestations in their neighborhood should contact the county’s Mosquito Control Program at (636) 949-7404. For more information about the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment, call (636) 949-7400 or visit www.scchealth.org.
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