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Mosquito Control Operations
Don't Invite Mosquitos To The Party!
The City of St. Charles has a mosquito control program in place that is administered by the Department of Public Works. All public streets in the City are sprayed on a regular basis to treat adult mosquitoes with an ultra-low volume fogger/sprayer. Application is weather dependent and will not occur if there is rain, low temperatures, or winds over 10 mph. Treating adult mosquitoes is only a temporary solution – elimination of breeding sites and stopping mosquitoes while they are still in the water is much more effective.
How to reduce the mosquito population around your home and property:
• Mosquitoes can develop in any standing water that is present for more than five days – eliminate all standing water and debris from your property.
• Dump standing water from pool covers, neglected swimming pools, hot tubs, or child’s wading pools.
• Clean birdbaths weekly and stock ornamental pools with fish.
• Cover or bring inside any toy, container, or garden equipment that can hold water.
• Clean clogged rain gutters – on your home and in the street.
• Repair leaky outdoor faucets.
• Change the water in outdoor pet bowls daily.
• Dump standing water from boat covers or uncovered boats.
• Repair missing, damaged, or improperly installed window or door screens.
• Remove junk or discarded tires. (Drill drain holes in bottom of tire swings)
• Get rid of tin cans, bottles, jars, buckets, drums and other containers, or keep them empty.
• Remove or fill in standing water areas in the yard.
• Don’t let runoff water from your air conditioner accumulate in shady areas.
• Don’t dump grass clippings, branches or other items in creeks.
• Keep in mind that mosquitoes rest in vegetation and other protected places; keep the grass cut and bushes trimmed.
• Contact your local hardware store for recommendations for insecticides or natural repellents that are effective, approved by the EPA, that you can spray in your yard.
• Call your local pest control company to spray your property for mosquitoes.
How to discourage mosquito bites:
• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR355, or oil of lemon eucalyptus when outdoors.
• Reapply every few hours.
• Apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second
• Don’t spray repellent on skin under clothes
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants
• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
Please call the Department of Public Works if you have any questions regarding mosquito control at (636) 949-3363.