Overview
What Your Forest Preserves Are Doing
The Lake County Forest Preserves care about the safety of our preserve visitors and neighbors. We also care about the health of our wildlife and natural habitats. Our challenge in working with West Nile Virus, along with many other issues that we face, is finding the right balance that benefits and provides safeguards for both people and nature.
Mosquito Management Policy
We're following a Mosquito Management Policy approved in 2003 that outlines how we'll control mosquitoes if they pose a significant health risk to preserve visitors or adjacent neighbors. We won't control nuisance mosquitoes that don't pose such a health risk.
Monitoring and Control Actions
We monitor sites where the types of mosquitoes capable of carrying West Nile Virus may be breeding. We may apply larvicide where we find those types of mosquitoes. Only in extreme circumstances will we consider spraying for adult mosquitoes because of potential ecological damage and questions about its effectiveness.
What You Can Do
How Is West Nile Virus transmitted?
Certain types of mosquitoes are more likely to spread West Nile Virus to people.
Symptoms of West Nile Virus
Most people with West Nile Virus won't develop symptoms. Some may become ill 3 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Protect Yourself
Wear proper clothing, use insect repellents and time your outdoor activities to reduce your risk of mosquito bites and other insect problems. For additional information on how to reduce contact, see West Nile Virus Information sheet
Reduce Mosquito Breeding Areas Around Your Home
Most backyard mosquito problems are caused by mosquitoes breeding in and around homes, not those from more natural areas. Protect Your Home Against Mosquitoes, information from the Illinois Department Of Public Health is available on their Website.
Additional Information
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