Huntley Mosquito Spraying Begins

The Village of Huntley's abatement contractor will begin spraying for mosquitoes today.  Clark Mosquito Management spokesmen said residents can help get rid of the little blood suckers, too, by eliminating breeding sites.  The Illinois Department of Public Health has some tips here: http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv_house/wnv_house.htm . Questions regarding Huntley's Mosquito Abatement Program should be directed to the Clarke Mosquito Hotline at 1-800-942-2555.

Aside from being itchy nuisances mosquitoes can be a vector for West Nile virus.  IDPH hasn't reported any human cases yet but they've found the virus in birds and mosquito traps in both Cook and DuPage counties this year. “With hot weather forecasted for this week, we anticipate increased West Nile virus activity across the state," said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. "Typically when temperatures increases, so do mosquito activity and the risk of West Nile disease.”

In the pic:  A culex mosquito, the kind that carries West Nile virus.