Mosquito Control
To help control the mosquito population in Naperville, City crews inspect for and remove standing water and treat ponds, marsh areas and catch basins with chemicals. City crews also monitor the mosquito population on a weekly basis through the use of 11 mosquito traps set Citywide to evaluate the effectiveness of larval control, provide early warnings for when adult populations are rising and also test for West Nile Virus. When necessary, the City utilizes spraying to control the adult mosquito population. In these instances, the City uses the safest chemicals available in very low volumes and sprays only as needed.
Fight the Bite!
Help protect yourself and others from mosquito bites by reducing potential breeding sites around your home. (City code defines the collection of untreated water where mosquitoes breed or are likely to breed as a nuisance and a danger to public health.)
- Install or repair window and door screens so that mosquitoes cannot get indoors.
- Eliminate standing water around your home such as ruts and puddles
- Remove old tires, tin cans and buckets and change the water in birdbaths at least once a week
- Keep gutters clear of debris
- Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around your home.
What to Do if You Find a Dead Bird
The City of Naperville does not collect or test dead birds. The county where you reside will collect only dead crows and blue jays for possible submittal to the State of Illinois lab for testing. (These birds are very sensitive to West Nile Virus and they can indicate its presence in a location.) Not all are eligible to be tested at the state lab and are only submitted for a limited time each mosquito season. These birds must be believed to have been dead less than 24 hours. The counties will not collect other species of birds. To report dead crows or blue jays, call the county where you reside.
- DuPage County Environmental Health Services, (630) 682-7979 ext. 7046
- Will County, (815) 740-7631
Residents who find dead birds other than crows or blue jays on their property should dispose of the bird themselves. Use a barrier such as a glove or shovel when handling the bird, and package the bird in a doubled plastic bag before discarding it in the normal garbage container.