St. Charles County Missouri

St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2008

CONTACT:

Barry McCauley, Mosquito Control Coordinator                                                                                636−949−7404
Cameron Satterfield, Public Information Officer                                                                               636−949−7408


Mosquito Season Fast Approaching

St. Charles County urges citizens to assist in mosquito control efforts

 

St. Charles County, MO - Spring rains and warm weather have combined to foster the development of hordes of bloodthirsty mosquitoes. To help reduce the problem, the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment has rolled out its mosquito control program. Already this spring, inspectors have been examining standing water and applying insect–control chemicals where necessary. Ultimately, when mosquito populations grow to the level of annoyance, spray trucks using small amounts of insecticide will be deployed to attempt to reduce the number of adult mosquitoes.

Where do all these mosquitoes come from? Dr. Barry McCauley, coordinator of the St. Charles County mosquito control program, says, "The almost annual sudden explosion of mosquitoes occurs when hundreds of millions of eggs laid the previous fall hatch because of spring rains and warmer temperatures. Mosquitoes can develop from eggs to biting adults in 7 to 14 days." The good news, according to Dr. McCauley, is that these mosquitoes are not usually the type that transmit disease to humans. The bad news is that they are ferocious biters and can make a stay outdoors miserable. Residents should protect themselves and their children when outside by applying a mosquito repellant. The repellant should be applied according to package instructions.

The health department is also asking residents to play their part in controlling mosquitoes. "An informed public, working in partnership with the health department, can make a huge difference in controlling mosquitoes," says Gil Copley, director of the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment. "County residents can help by eliminating breeding areas in their neighborhoods. This reduces the adult mosquito population, and makes our spraying more effective," Copley said.

Here are some tips to help control mosquitoes around your home.

  • Collect and properly dispose of all useless containers such as tin cans, bottles, buckets, vases, wheelbarrows, and old tires. Just one tin can filled with rainwater can provide a breeding ground for hundreds of mosquitoes.
  • Inspect rain gutters and downspouts to see if they are blocked by leaves or other debris and clean them out if necessary.
  • Stack buckets, barrels, tubs, and other containers upside down.
  • Cover all boats and canoes, wheelbarrows and wagons, or store them upside down.
  • Stock rock garden pools and lily ponds with small fish that feed on mosquito larvae, including the mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis.
  • Empty and refill birdbaths at least once a week.
  • Fill in or drain low places on private property where water may stand for more than a week.
  • Empty and clean small wading pools if not in use and several times a week if in use. Properly maintain larger backyard swimming pools.
  • Cover rain barrels, cisterns, and fire barrels with 16–mesh screening.

With mosquitoes comes concern about West Nile Virus and other mosquito–borne diseases. According to Dr. McCauley, the mosquitoes that transmit these diseases are not typically seen until mid– to late summer and early fall in this part of the country.

Additional information about St. Charles County mosquito control efforts, proper use of insect repellant, and online reporting of dead birds is available on the health department website, www.scchealth.org. To contact the mosquito control program, call (636) 949-7404.

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