St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27, 2011

ST. CHARLES COUNTY OFFERS SERVICES, TIPS FOR
CURTAILING MOSQUITOES THIS SEASON

St. Charles County, Missouri – Although April showers bring May flowers, spring rains and warmer temperatures also create perfect conditions for the return of pesky mosquitoes to our area.  To help reduce the adult mosquito population, staff from St. Charles County’s Department of Community Health and the Environment has developed plans to inspect problem areas and apply control chemicals where needed.  In addition, the department offers tips for protecting yourself from these insects.

In completing these plans, inspectors examine standing water on public property and apply insect-control chemicals where necessary.  As a part of the examinations, staff injects larvicide in pools of standing water where mosquitoes hatch to control the population before it develops.  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.  Residents who are concerned about mosquito populations in their area are encouraged to call the Division of Environmental Health and Protection at (636) 949-1800.  Additional information about St. Charles County mosquito control efforts is available on the health department website, www.scchealth.org.

Dr. Barry McCauley, vector control coordinator for St. Charles County, suggests that residents can do their part to help the control effort.  “Eliminating mosquito breeding areas makes our control efforts more effective,” McCauley said. “We depend upon the public to control backyard mosquitoes in their neighborhoods and alert us to larger problems.”

In seven to 14 days, mosquitoes can develop from eggs to adults when conditions are favorable. To eliminate these breeding grounds, McCauley recommends residents:

1. Fill in or drain areas where water may stand for more than one week.
2. Flatten cans and containers or puncture holes in bottom
3. Completely seal cesspools and screen all vents
4. Clean clogged roof gutters and drain flat roofs so no water stays
5. Cover all standing receptacles, such as rain barrels in rural areas, with netting
6. Empty and refill outdoor bird baths every few days
7. Stock garden pools and ponds with small fish or aerate them
8. Tilt wheelbarrows and machines with containers to prevent holding water
9. Empty watering cans and wading pools after using
10. Dispose of old tires or anything that holds water

McCauley says residents can discourage mosquitoes from biting by using an insect repellent when outdoors.  Consumers should look for a product that contains DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.  Products containing these active ingredients provide reasonably long lasting protection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The repellent should be applied to exposed skin and clothing according to package instructions.  In addition, the CDC advises wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when the weather permits.

The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment is committed to the protection and enhancement of health and the quality of life for all members of our community.  For more information on the Department’s efforts, please visit www.scchealth.org or call 636-949-7400.

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