Mosquito Control

Mosquito Prevention

The City of Waukegan’s organized mosquito control program draws on the principles of integrated pest management. This strategy is guided by surveillance of mosquito populations, knowledge of the mosquito life cycle, and includes the following measures:

• Source reduction - The removal of mosquito breeding habitats.
• Habitat modification - Manipulating habitats to reduce breeding.
• Biocontrol - Introducing natural predators of mosquitoes.
• Larvicide - Using pesticides to reduce larval populations.
• Adulticide - Using pesticides to reduce adult populations.

What You Can Do to Help

Mosquitoes lay up to 250 eggs at a time in still water, which will hatch in 7 to 10 days. If standing water is eliminated weekly, many mosquitoes will be kept from breeding in the first place, eliminating the need to use pesticides against adult mosquitoes. This also reduces the number of mosquitoes around the house. Here is a checklist and some things you can do:

• Check for items that might hold water including wheelbarrows, tires, hubcaps, toys, garden equipment, pool covers, tarps, plastic sheeting, pipes, drains, boats, canoes, recycling bins, and trash.
• Remove standing water in ponds, ditches, clogged rain gutters, flower pots, plant saucers, puddles, buckets, jars, and cans.
• Completely change water in birdbaths and wading pools weekly. Drill drainage holes in tire swings.
• Stock ornamental ponds and fountains with fish that eat mosquito larvae.
• Avoid mosquitoes by staying indoors at dawn and dusk when they are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors.
• Apply insect repellent that contains N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). Follow directions carefully.
• Install or repair window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out.

Additional Information

The City’s mosquito control contractor, Clarke Mosquito Control, wants residents to know that their  vehicles and teams will be seen around the City, since weather warmed up after the heavy rains. Early season teams are primarily:

• Inspecting standing water sites on public and private property (including backyards!) where mosquitoes may breed. If mosquito larvae are found, a product is applied to prevent mosquito larvae from becoming biting adults.
• Treating catch basins (storm drains) around town with an extended-control product. Fun fact: Clarke technicians ride bicycles while performing most catch basin treatments.
• Setting and checking traps that are used to monitor adult mosquito population levels. This helps determine when adult control treatments will be needed.

Clarke also has a portal featuring a hotline for residents to report standing water sites and mosquito annoyance. Residents may also use the hotline to register for notifications by text or email before planned nighttime adult mosquito treatments.