Tips for Homeowners

As temperatures increase, so does mosquito activity. To prepare and protect you and your family for mosquito season and the threat of West Nile Virus, follow these simple guidelines:

1. Drain: Drain those items that collect standing water around your home, yard or business. Scrub and refill pet water dishes and bird baths regularly.
2. Defend: Use an insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors and reapply according to directions.
3. Dress: Wear long pants, long sleeves and closed toe shoes when outside to cover the skin.
4. Dusk to Dawn: Wear repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.

Mosquito Control

Preventing standing water build-up is one of the most effective methods to reduce mosquito breeding.  

What You Can Do

Residents are encouraged to periodically look for these common contributors to standing water:

• Water in birdbaths and pet dishes should be changed every other day.
• Leaves and twigs can clog gutters and drains. Make sure water is flowing freely.
• Fill in low-lying areas in your yard that are collecting water.
• Pool covers can collect water and should be emptied.
• Wading pools, wheelbarrows and tires should be turned over when not in use.
• Toys and other objects around the yard, such as barrels and buckets, should be placed in an area where they will not collect rainwater.
• Drain standing water in flower pots.
• Leaky faucets should be closed tightly.
• Compost should be turned over frequently and areas of organic matter, which provide a food source for mosquito larvae, should be recycled as soon as possible.
• Repair broken window screens and close attic vents to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

What the Village Can Do

The Village of Carol Stream has intergovernmental agreements with Bloomingdale and Wayne Townships to provide mosquito abatement activities including scheduled tests of breeding sites, treating known breeding sites, and performing larvicide activities during mosquito season, which typically ranges from May-October. These services are conducted through a contract with Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management, Inc.

Village-wide spraying is done multiple times throughout the season, between dawn and dusk, as conditions warrant. Targeted spraying may also be employed throughout the summer months to mitigate pockets of high mosquito activity or before special events where crowds gather. 

If you have questions about how these mosquito control applications work, read the Top 10 Questions Residents Have About Mosquito Control.

Throughout mosquito season, residents may also see Clarke employees on bikes or golf carts dropping larval control pellets (see above image) into roadside storm sewer catch basins. These basins are designed to collect water, and, as a result, are known breeding grounds for mosquitoes. 

Mosquito Resources

Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management, Inc.

To report high levels of mosquito activity or standing water, sign up for and manage treatment notifications via email or text, and more, please contact Clarke’s mosquito hotline directly at (800) 942-2555 or through their online portal. 

Visit the Clark Mosquito website for additional information.

DuPage County Health Department

Visit the DuPage County Health Department’s website to learn more mosquito tips and facts about West Nile Virus.

DuPage County residents can also self-report tick sightings and dead birds, which may indicate West Nile Virus, using the DuPage County Health Department's "Citizen Reporter" online. 

Bloomingdale and Wayne Township

For additional mosquito abatement questions, please contact Bloomingdale Township at (630) 529-7715 or Wayne Township at (630) 231-7140.

The following links also provide additional best practices and information regarding their services:

• Bloomingdale Township- Mosquito Control
• Bloomingdale Township- West Nile Virus
• Wayne Township- Mosquito and West Nile Virus

Illinois Department of Public Health

Visit IDPH's Vector Control & Surveillance website to learn more about mosquitoes, mosquito-borne diseases, and other vectors/pests that may cause disease, injury, or other issues. 

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