Fight the Bite is a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) campaign to increase the public’s knowledge on Vector Borne Diseases. Northwest Mosquito Abatement District is committed to providing mosquito control practices through various formats including educating community members of all ages on mosquitoes, ticks and bite prevention.
Today’s Personal Protection Index
The risk level today is
0
None
A risk level of 0 indicates the public is not a risk of mosquito bites
Protect yourself from bites
Follow these tips to prevent mosquito bites.
- Limit time spent outdoors, especially around dawn and dusk.
- Wear long sleeves and pants while outdoors. Purchase pretreated clothes or treat your clothes with permethrin to further protection.
- Use mosquito repellent as directed.
- Make sure all windows/door screens are in good shape, to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
- When sitting outside, use box or oscillating fans to create a breeze of 7 – 10 mph. Mosquitoes are not good at flying in the wind.
- Empty any containers holding water in your yard every 5 to 7 days.
Know the difference
Nuisance Mosquitoes
These are the main species of mosquitoes which bite humans. Populations are highest after rainfall and can severely impact enjoyment of outdoor activities.
Disease Vector Mosquitoes
These mosquitoes are more prevalent during hot, dry weather conditions. They tend to feed on birds, but will feed on people given the opportunity. The Culex mosquito predominantly transmits the West Nile Virus to humans.
Learn more about mosquitoes
Learn about the biology of mosquitoes, West Nile Virus, how NWMAD tests for disease vector mosquitoes and more.
We need your help!
Remove stagnant water from around your property every 5 to 7 days to help prevent new mosquitoes from spawning.
- Dispose of old tires, cans, buckets and containers that can hold water.
- Keep rain gutters clean to allow water flow.
- Replace water in bird baths.
- Drain and store kiddie pools upside down.
- Store canoes and other small boats upside down so they don’t collect rainwater.
Fill out a Service Request if you feel mosquito populations are high in your area, or for an evaluation of water sources for possible treatment.
Visit the CDC website for more tips on mosquito control around your home.
Find a repellent
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created a repellent search tool to assist in finding the right EPA approved product for you and your family’s needs. The search tool allows you to specify by:
- mosquitoes, ticks or both;
- protection time;
- active ingredient; or
- other product-specific information.
When choosing a repellent, consider some of the following factors:
- Do you need protection from mosquitoes, ticks or both?
- How long will you be exposed to them? Be sure to use a product with a protection time that fits your activity.
It is important to understand how to use repellents safely and effectively. Before use, always read the product label to understand how to safely and effectively use the product.
Visit the EPA website for more information on the repellent search tool.
Midwest Research Partners
Northwest Mosquito Abatement District’s entomologist, Dr. Irwin, PhD, partners with the following midwest-based research centers, sharing real-world mosquito and tick data collected at NWMAD. Visit the research centers’ websites to learn how they are studying ticks and mosquitoes in an effort to further the protection of our communities.
The Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector Borne Disease focuses on improving our understanding of the diseases carried by, and control of, ticks and mosquitoes.
The INHS Medical Entomology Program studies ticks and mosquitoes which have medical and veterinary concerns in Illinois.
Related resources
Mosquito Information
Visit the Mosquito Information page to learn more about the biology of mosquitoes, the diseases they carry and how NWMAD is testing for mosquitoes.
Tick Information
Visit the Tick Information page to learn more about tick biology, the diseases they carry and how to protect yourself.
Kids’ Corner
Are you a parent or educator looking for kid-friendly mosquito information? Visit the Kids’ Corner for videos, activities and fast reads for kids and students!