It’s that time of year! West Nile starts to make its annual appearance.

The mosquitoes are returning in full force, and West Nile is back, at least in Illinois – for now. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has already reported the first mosquitoes to test positive with the West Nile Virus in 2021. No human cases have been found yet.

Just as we are here in Greenville, Illinois is diligent when it comes to tracking mosquito-borne diseases. They monitor mosquito batches through laboratory tests, test dead birds (crows, robins, blue jays, and other perching birds), and test horses and humans symptomatic of the disease.

Last year, IDPH found 39 human cases of West Nile Virus and four deaths. While South Carolina only reported four human cases of West Nile last year, it’s important to stay vigilant in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile Virus, Zika, and EEE. With such a rainy winter, it’s likely going to be a crazy mosquito season in Greenville.

Fight the Bite with the 7 T’s of Greenville Mosquito Control

Yes, mosquitoes are annoying, but they’re also dangerous, as they can transmit mosquito-borne diseases to your family and pets. It’s important to do everything you can to protect yourself, your family, your pets, and your yard from the risk of these illnesses. Here are some tips from our highly trained mosquito control technicians to help fight the bite:

Tip

Dump out standing water – all of it! Tip the water out of plastic toys, dog bowls, planters, gutters, or anywhere else you see water in your yard. It needs to go.

Toss

Get rid of grass clippings, excess grass, firewood, and leaves in your yard.

Turn

Have a portable sandbox, plastic toy, a birdbath, or anything else in your yard that can hold water? Turn it over.

Remove Tarps

When a tarp is laid over a boat or a pile of firewood, it can hold water if it isn’t taut.

Take Care

Take care of home maintenance, including keeping your grass cut low, ensuring downspouts are properly connected, emptying gutters, and making sure your sprinkler system doesn’t have any leaks.

Team Up

Talk to your neighbors about taking precautions to fight the bite. If your homes are close together, what your neighbor does or does not do can affect your property.

Treat

Apply a mosquito barrier treatment around your yard and home.

Greenville Mosquito Control Barrier Protection

Mosquito Squad of Greenville is here to help protect you, your family, and your yard from the nuisance of mosquitoes and the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Our Mosquito Control Barrier Protection reduces 85-90% of mosquitoes on contact and continues to work for 21 days. To take control of your yard and start enjoying time outdoors, call Mosquito Squad of Greenville – (864) 362-2013.