Aside from being itchy and annoying mosquitoes can carry Mosquito-borne diseases. Although relatively rare, there are cases of mosquito-borne illness reported every year throughout the United States. For more information mosquito-borne illnesses, please visit www.cdc.gov. Even though illnesses are rare here, the fact remains, mosquitoes are annoying, can disrupt outdoor plans, force people indoors and hurt!
The City of O’Fallon has a mosquito control program in place. Our dedicated professionals will treat any street or neighborhood of the City upon request of the residents or Homeowners’ Association. To request a spray, just call 636-379-5553 or email citizensfirst@ofallon.mo.us. Please note: Our trucks will spray as they drive down the street. Our crews cannot treat individual yards. Each call will result in a single spray. To have your area treated a second time, you must call again.
What can you do to prevent mosquitoes in your area
The most important thing you can do is eliminate standing water from your property!
- Cover areas that collect water such as neglected swimming pools, wading pools, etc.
- Clean birdbaths weekly and stock ornamental pools with fish
- Bring any toy or garden equipment that can hold water inside or cover it
- Clean clogged rain gutters – both home and street gutters
- Fix dripping faucets
- Change the water in outdoor pet bowls daily
- Clean boat covers that collect water and clear water from uncovered boats
- Replace damaged window and door screens
- Discard old tires
- If you have a tire swing, drill holes in the bottom so water drains
- Remove or fill in standing water areas in the yard
- Don’t dump grass clippings, branches or other items in creeks. Please remember dumping grass clippings is illegal!
- Keep in mind that mosquitoes rest in vegetation and other protected places, so keep your grass cut and bushes trimmed
- Call your local pest control company to spray your yard for mosquitos
To prevent mosquito bites:
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent with one of the fowling active ingredients
- DEET
- Picaridin
- Oil of Lemon
- Eucalyptus
- Para-menthane-diol
- Remember a that items with a higher percentage of active ingredients provide longer protection
- Always follow product labels
- Remember to reapply every few hours
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants
- Don’t spray repellent on skin under clothes
- If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellant second
- Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated clothing and gear
- Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See product information to find out how long protection will last.
Other facts about mosquitoes
- All mosquitoes need water in which to pass their early life states.
- Adult flying mosquitoes frequently rest in grass, shrubbery or other foliage, but never develop there.
- Some mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water where they hatch in a day or two. Other mosquitoes lay their eggs in old tires, tin cans, or other water holding containers in which they may remain unhatched for weeks or months until they are covered with water. With both types of mosquitoes, the “wigglers” or larvae grow quickly and turn into “tumblers” or pupae. Soon, the skin of the tumbler splits open and out climbs another hungry adult mosquito.