It's mosquito season – and the ongoing heat and high levels of humidity are only worsening the swarms.
For those of you who are tired of swatting away hordes of mosquitoes whenever you step outside, here's everything you need to know about reducing their numbers and preventing and treating bites.
Which types of mosquitoes live in Illinois?
There are two types of mosquitoes native to Illinois – floodwater and vector mosquitoes, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Floodwater mosquitoes deposit their eggs singly in low-lying areas that will be flooded later and emerge in large numbers about two weeks after heavy rains. The inland floodwater mosquito is most common and typically travels 10 or more miles from where it hatched.
Meanwhile, vector mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant ditches, sewage treatment ponds or anything else that holds water, such as treeholes, old tires, clogged gutters and old tin cans. These mosquitoes carry disease and hatch within two to three days. House mosquitoes, tree-hole mosquitoes and Asian tiger mosquitoes are all types of vector mosquitoes.
When is mosquito season in Illinois?
Mosquito season typically lasts from April through September in Illinois, according to pest control company Terminix.
The peak months for mosquito-borne illnesses in the U.S. are August and September, as mosquitoes thrive in hot, humid weather and have had time to grow and transmit viruses, according to NBC News.
Do all mosquitoes carry diseases?
Floodwater mosquitoes are not major vectors of human disease in Illinois, but they can transmit heartworm disease in dogs, as can house mosquitoes.
Vector mosquitoes can also transmit at least three types of encephalitis, a disease that causes inflammation of the brain.
House mosquitoes, which bite from dusk to dawn, can transmit St. Louis encephalitis and West Nile virus, while tree-hole mosquitoes, which bite during the day, are the main vectors of California encephalitis in Illinois. The Asian tiger mosquito transmits dengue fever in other parts of the world and could become involved in the California encephalitis cycle in Illinois.
Mosquitoes can also transmit West Nile virus, as has been the case in Illinois. There have been three human cases of West Nile virus in Illinois so far this year, according to a live dashboard published by the IDPH.
How to reduce populations of mosquitoes
The best way to reduce the populations of mosquitoes in your area is to eliminate the places where they breed, according to the IDPH.
Here are some suggestions:
Remove or empty water in places where mosquitoes might breed, including places that may have poor drainage.
Make sure cisterns, cesspools, septic tanks, fire barrels, rain barrels and trash containers are covered tightly with a lid or with 16-mesh screen.
Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week and store indoors when not in use. Unused swimming pools should be covered or drained during the mosquito season.
Change the water in bird baths and plant pots or drip trays at least once each week.
Store boats covered or upside down, or remove rainwater weekly.
Empty your pet's water bowl daily.
Level the ground around your home so water can run off and not collect in low spots. Fill in holes or depressions near your home that accumulate water.
Fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water.
If you have an ornamental water garden, stock it with mosquito-eating fish (e.g., minnows, "mosquito fish," or goldfish).
Keep weeds and tall grass cut short; adult mosquitoes look for these shady places to rest during the hot daylight hours.
Use a flyswatter or household spray to kill mosquitoes, flies or other insects that get into buildings. Spray shrubbery and high weeds to kill adult insects.
Small impoundments of water can be treated for mosquito larvae with "Bti," a bacterial insecticide.
Bug zappers are not effective in controlling biting mosquitoes.
Community-wide mosquito abatement efforts can be quite effective if they are conducted as part of an integrated pest management program. This includes monitoring and draining or treating areas where mosquitoes breed – such as street catch basins, occasionally flooded marshes, river backwater areas, swamps and other low-lying areas.
How to prevent mosquito bites
The IDPH recommends the following tips for preventing mosquito bites:
Avoid places and times when mosquitoes bite (i.e. just before and after sunset and just before dawn).
Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
Wear appropriate clothing. Light-colored long-sleeved tops and long pants made of tightly woven materials keep mosquitoes away from the skin. Keep trouser legs tucked into boots or socks.
Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small babies any time.
When it is necessary to be outdoors, apply insect repellent. Apply repellents to clothes whenever possible; apply sparingly to exposed skin if label permits. Consult a physician before using repellents on young children.
How to relieve mosquito bite itch
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following treatments for mosquito bites:
Wash the bite and surrounding area with soap and water.
Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes to reduce swelling and itching. Reapply ice pack as needed.
Apply a mixture of baking soda and water, which can help reduce the itch response.
Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda with just enough water to create a paste.
Apply the paste to the mosquito bite.
Wait 10 minutes.
Wash off the paste.
Use an over-the-counter anti-itch or antihistamine cream to help relieve itching. Follow the product label directions.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Sick of mosquitos in Illinois? How to get rid of mosquito bites fast
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