Residents Can Now Sign Up for Email, Text Notifications for Mosquito Abatement Operations
The City of Evanston has launched an email and text notification system. Residents can get advance notice of planned adult mosquito abatement operations. Spraying for adult mosquitos in Evanston is conducted by the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District (NSMAD). Typically, member communities get about 48 hours’ notice prior to spraying and operations are conducted in the late evening to early morning hours as weather permits.
“August and September tend to be the peak season for West Nile virus activity. Mosquitoes that have West Nile virus will be active until the first hard frost of the year,” explained Evanston Health Department Director Evonda Thomas. “This new notification system will help keep residents informed of adult mosquito control operations. Additionally, residents need to be cognizant of the three R’s – reduce exposure to mosquitoes; repel them by wearing insect repellent; and report areas where mosquitoes typically breed.”
To sign up for the notification system, residents should go to www.cityofevanston.org/subscribe, select subscription type, enter their email or wireless number and then choose “Mosquito Abatement” under the “Special Interest” section. Alerts will be sent with the information provided to the city of Evanston by NSMAD.
NSMAD’s approach to mosquito control is known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which is comprised of surveillance, source reduction, larval control and adult mosquito control. IPM has proven to be the most efficient and environmentally sound method of controlling the local mosquito population while minimizing potential deleterious effects to non-target species. Their goal is to make the North Shore as mosquito-free as possible while protecting the public's health and the environment.
Along with Evanston, NSMAD serves the residents of: Glencoe, Glenview, Golf, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Skokie, Wilmette and Winnetka. Questions regarding mosquito control operations can be directed to the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District at 847/446-9434 or at nsmad@nsmad.com. Visit their web site at www.nsmad.com.