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Mosquitoes Are Here, are they biting yet?

The annual ritual of swatting those nagging swarms of mosquitoes is about to begin for most people across Antioch, Gurnee, Waukegan and Lake Forest Illinois.  This usually takes place after the spring rains begin and temperatures rise above 70 degrees for a week or more.  Rain and rising temperatures ignite the hatching process of mosquito eggs that were left behind last summer.  These eggs develop into larvae and eventually flying mosquitoes within weeks of ideal temperatures and moisture of late spring.  The maturing females begin searching out protein to give them the nutrients necessary to begin their own egg production.  This protein is most easily found in the blood of mammals and luckily, us humans.  The good news is its only the mature females seeking out our blood and leaving us those nasty itchy bites.  Most humans are somewhat allergic to the bite resulting in an irritating and swelling red blotch on our skin.  

Most mosquito bites result in only an annoying itchy reaction, however mosquitoes have always carried disease.  This ability to carry disease from animals and humans to others is what has scared most people over the years.  West Nile virus along with malaria and yellow fever have been carried by mosquitoes throughout history.  Most recently west Nile virus has affected people in the Midwest and have even resulted in several hundred deaths in recent years.  

Many communities provide evening mosquito controls through commercial pest control application companies.  These services target large areas and neighborhoods close to wetlands with a fogging or misting system from vehicles driven on city streets.  These services provide some control of mosquitoes, however a plan of action for personal property should be in place to reduce populations in your own backyard.  Removing all and any standing water in your yard regularly in summer and not leaving behind toys, tires, or anything that would collect rain water will help prevent new eggs from getting laid and eventually hatching.  Applying a store bought insecticide to the shaded areas of your property or hiring a professional mosquito control company to do this will also greatly reduce the populations of mosquitoes on your property.  A company that provides several applications of EPA registered control products at 2 to 4 week intervals will greatly enhance your backyard experiences this summer.  When hiring a professional, make sure they are insured, licensed and use regulated products that are registered in your state by the EPA to insure there is no over-use of insecticides to your property.  


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