Resident Tips & Information

While the Village works to reduce the mosquito population, the most important thing residents can do is take preventative measures to keep mosquitos from breeding. Mosquito levels vary especially depending on the weather. While the Village has partnered with Clarke to provide mosquito abatement, areas nearby and outside the Village may not, and this can contribute to higher levels of mosquitos. The Village's services are meant to complement the preventative measures used by homeowners and businesses on their private property.

• Remove items that may collect water, like tires, buckets, or kiddie pools - these serve as breeding sites!

• Keep shrubs, lawns, and greenery trimmed to prevent hiding places for adult mosquitoes.

• Fill in or drain any low places in your yard like puddles or ruts.

• Clean and maintain gutters and downspouts.

• Empty and clean bird baths or other wildlife water basins every 72 hours.

• Report standing water in the Village.

• Report mosquito annoyance in the Village.

Mosquito control activities protect against the threat of mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile Virus and help us enjoy the outdoors. The Village contracts with Clarke to provide mosquito control for our community.

Clarke's services within the Village are performed in accordance with CDC guidelines and use Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listed products registered with the U.S. EPA. Clarke's technicians use bikes, hybrid crew vehicles, and electric sprayers to reduce the environmental impact of their services.

The Village has opted to use Clarke's EarthRight program in its mosquito control.

The EarthRight mosquito control program includes:

• Surveillance and Testing: Clarke monitors mosquito breeding habitats within the Village. They also manage mosquito collection traps within the Village and regionally to monitor adult mosquito population levels and test for the presence of West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.

• Larval Control: Larvicide products are applied to sites where mosquito breeding can occur, such as storm drains, retention ponds, and other standing water sites. They work to prevent mosquito larvae from becoming flying, and biting adults. Clarke applies Natular larvicide in our community, which uses a naturally occurring soil bacterium to control mosquito larvae. Natular is considered a Reduced Risk larvicide by the U.S. EPA and is listed with the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) allowing for use in and around organic farms and gardens.

• Adult Control: Adulticide products reduce adult mosquito populations quickly and efficiently. Adulticides are applied through truck-mounted ultra-low volume spraying systems along the right of ways, and treatments are done at night when mosquito populations are most active. When mosquito populations reach nuisance levels or the presence of West Nile Virus is detected in local mosquito populations, Clarke will make applications across our community using Merus. Merus is the only Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) Listed adult mosquito control product available for wide-area use. It uses natural pyrethrins, a botanical insecticide that is naturally occurring in chrysanthemum flowers.

• Mosquito Hotline: Residents can report of standing water lasting longer than three days or request service notifications for adult mosquito control applications at Clarke. Residents may also learn how to sign up for advance service notifications (text or email) when adult mosquito control applications are scheduled for our community through the Clarke Customer Portal.