West Nile Virus Prevention Initiative

Mosquito Control Around Your Home

A few residents are calling into the Township asking what can be done to control the mosquitoes. With the near record rainfall we experienced in May mosquito populations have soared in recent weeks. People have reported bloodthirsty clouds greeting them as soon as they walk outdoors. Expect them to be out in peak numbers for the next two to three weeks.

Michigan is blessed with over 50 species of mosquitoes. These can be categorized into two basic groups based on their breeding habits. The first group might be termed spring mosquitoes. Spring mosquitoes produce a single generation of adults each year. Their larvae develop in "spring pools" in low-lying areas that hold water from snowmelt and spring rains. Our wet spring has certainly enhanced the success rate of developing larvae by maintaining adequate water levels in these areas. They are having a banner year!

The other group of mosquitoes, called summer mosquitoes, will produce generation after generation of mosquitoes during the summer as long as there is standing water available. It is very likely that these species are going to benefit from our wet spring as well.

Reducing mosquito bites still revolves around the use of repellents, loose fitting clothing, tight fitting window screens, and yard sprays with malathion, permethrin or cyfluthrin, and simply staying indoors during peak mosquito times. There are several over the counter products you can purchase at your neighborhood lawn and garden store or hardware store that contain these active ingredients. Bonide Mosquito Beater, Cutter - Bug Free and Ortho Mosquito-B-Gone are just a few.

There are several new products available on the market, though some are quite expensive, that claim to rid yards of mosquitoes. While its true that these mosquito traps do catch mosquitoes, they appear not to catch all species of mosquitoes equally. Mosquito traps currently on the market include: Mosquito Magnet, SkeeterVac and Mosquito Deleto.

Cascade Charter Township is actively installing a mosquito larvacide in public storm drain catch basins within the township. The product being used is supposed to last about 90 days and is designed to kill mosquito larva before they reach their adult form.

The program is a proactive and precautionary measure to deal with the transport of West Nile Virus. In urbanized areas, catch basin sumps serve as a primary breeding ground for mosquitoes. It is the intent of the program to target these areas.

If you live on a private street, the catch basins will not be treated by Cascade Charter Township. However, if you would like your basins treated please have your association or owner contact Jay Cravens or Sandra Otey at (616) 949-1500.

Unlike conventional pesticides, each ALTOSID formulation contains methoprene, an insect growth regulator (IGR) that stops mosquitoes from becoming breeding, biting adults. Methoprene is target-specific, and will not affect fish, waterfowl, mammals or beneficial predatory insects.

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