With record breaking rainfalls in our area this past May, the Kendall County Health Department wants to remind residents of the dangers of standing water and mosquitoes. During the late spring and summer, mosquitoes can develop in any standing water that lasts more than seven to 10 days. Because mosquitoes can carry disease, such as West Nile Virus, Chikungunya and Zika Virus, it’s very important to protect yourself and children from mosquitoes. You can begin protecting your family from mosquitoes by reducing the amount of standing water available for mosquito breeding around your home. Below is a list of helpful tips to make your property as mosquito free as possible.

• Dispose of discarded tires, cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or other unused similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property. Do not overlook containers that have become overgrown by vegetation.
• At least once per week, empty standing water from containers on your property, such as tire swings, or bird baths.
• Fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water.
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors. Drainage holes drilled in the sides of containers allow sufficient water to collect in which mosquitoes may breed.
• Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Flooded roof gutters are easily overlooked but can produce hundreds of mosquitoes each season.
• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. A wading pool becomes a mosquito producer if it is not used on a regular basis.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in bird baths. Change water in bird baths and wading pools on a weekly basis.
• Store boats covered or upside down, or remove rainwater weekly.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left untended by a family that goes on vacation for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware that mosquitoes may breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.
• Keep drains, ditches and culverts free of grass clippings, weeds and trash so water will drain properly.
• Fill in low areas on your property to eliminate standing water. Ponds or streams where fish are present or the water is disturbed by current or wave action do not produce many mosquitoes.

If you have questions or would like more information on mosquitoes, please call the Kendall County Health Department at (630) 553-9100 or visit us online at www.kendalhealth.org
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