Kane County Reporter

Clarke, the mosquito control vendor for the City of St. Charles, will conduct a citywide mosquito spray on the evening of July 15, weather permitting. This measure is in response to the identification of West Nile-positive mosquitoes in the area.

The treatment used by Clarke is synthetic and deemed safe for humans and pets. However, individuals with respiratory conditions are advised to stay indoors and keep windows closed during the spraying. Residents can receive notifications about upcoming sprays by contacting Clarke at 1.800.942.2555.

To minimize mosquito bites, residents are encouraged to use insect repellent, avoid outdoor activities during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, and wear long sleeves.

Residents can also take steps to reduce mosquito populations around their homes by discarding water-holding containers, filling or draining low areas in yards, covering trash containers to prevent rainwater collection, repairing leaky pipes and faucets, emptying plastic wading pools weekly and storing them indoors when not in use, maintaining backyard pools properly especially during vacations, changing water in birdbaths and planters frequently, and keeping grass cut short with well-trimmed shrubbery around houses.