Mosquito Control
The City of Wentzville contracts with St. Charles County Department of Public Health for mosquito control. Spraying adulticide and larvicide applications are scheduled May through September. Expanded mosquito monitoring is planned for the City of Wentzville beginning this season.
You can report specific areas of concern using St. Charles County’s online form at www.sccmo.org/959/Mosquito-Control or call (636) 949-1800.
For other questions, contact the City’s Stormwater Division through the online Customer Support Portal or at (636) 639-2121.
What Can You Do to Block the Bite?
The best way to discourage insect bites is to take preventive action before going outdoors. Here are simple precautions to minimize exposure to insect bites:
- Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus when outdoors. Remember to apply sunscreen first, allow it to dry, and then use insect repellent.
- Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. When traveling in areas known for ticks, mosquitoes or other insects, including tall grass and wet or wooded settings, wear long sleeves and long pants.
- Brush clothing and check for insects after being outside. Check pets as well.
What Can You Do to Control Mosquitoes?
Help control mosquitoes around your home and business by following these tips to minimize exposure:
- Fill or drain areas where water may collect for more than one week.
- Discard old tires, containers or debris that hold water.
- Clean clogged rain gutters and downspouts so no water stays.
- Stack pails, barrels, tubs and planters upside down when not in use.
- Tilt wheelbarrows and machines with containers to prevent holding water.
- Cover boats and canoes, or store upside down when able.
- Stock garden pools and ponds with small fish (top water feeding minnows and goldfish) or aerate them.
- Empty and clean small wading pools and bird baths every few days.
- Filter and chlorinate swimming pools.
- Drain outdoor pet and livestock water tanks weekly.
- Cover rain barrels, cisterns or fire barrels with 16-mesh wire screening.
After you have taken steps to reduce mosquito habitat on your property, you can protect yourself by making sure your home is securely screened, wearing protective clothing and using mosquito repellent.
West Nile: What You Need to Know
West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne infection that may develop into a life-threatening illness. The majority of individuals who become infected experience few signs, with mild symptoms, such as fever or headaches. However, some cases develop into encephalitis (brain inflammation) in humans and horses. It also causes mortality in certain domestic and wild birds.
Transmission
When mosquitoes become infected after feeding on infected birds the virus can be spread to humans and other animals. It cannot be transmitted from person to person. Exposure to mosquitoes where West Nile Virus exists will increase the chance for the infection to develop. The best precautionary advice is to avoid these situations and protect yourself using mosquito repellent.
History
West Nile Virus is commonly found in humans, birds and other vertebrates in Africa, Europe and Western Asia. The first documented reports of the virus in the Western Hemisphere were located in New York City (in 1999). Human, bird and mammal cases were subsequently reported through several Middle Atlantic states and New England. It has continued to spread throughout the U.S., with the first cases reported in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area in 2001. As a result of this spread, a regional task force (involving St. Charles County, the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, and the City of St. Peters, with consultation from regional and national experts) developed a response action plan.
Symptoms & Treatment
Most infections are mild, and symptoms include fever, headache and body aches, occasionally with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. More severe infection may be marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis and, rarely, death. West Nile Virus is only fatal in 3-15% of all cases, and persons older than 50 years of age or those with impaired immune systems have the highest risk for the development of severe infections. Mild cases usually resolve in a few days, but individuals experiencing signs or symptoms of serious infection should seek medical care immediately.