The pesky mosquito can carry a deadly disease like West Nile Virus.
Learn how you can help by collecting the eggs of the pesky bug in your backyard by becoming a mosquito ambassador with the Prairie Research Institute.
Dr. Kylee Noel, a researcher with the Illinois Natural History Survey, says the program aims to raise awareness of mosquito-borne diseases.
And a batch of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus in Vermilion County earlier this month in ‘northern rural Danville,’ according to the Vermilion County Health Department.
“Anyone can participate and help us identify which mosquito species are present throughout the state, which provides us with knowledge about what mosquito-borne diseases may be present in a given area,” said Noel. “It can be easy to think of mosquitoes just as nuisances, but my hope is that this program will shed light on the danger of mosquito-borne diseases and provide information to help protect people from mosquito bites.”
The goal of the program is to collect as much research as possible this summer.
And the goal is to make the program ‘statewide throughout Illinois.” While the current pick up locations are in the Champaign-Urbana area, Noel says she is working to expand the network.
The kits have the materials needed to collect the eggs, Noel says just mail the collection back.
You can pick up a kit
Urbana Free Library, located at 210 W. Green St., UrbanaMiddle Fork River Forest Preserve Interpretive Center, 3485 County Road 2700 E., PenfiledChampaign County Extension Office, 801 N. Country Fair Drive, Suite D, ChampaignAnita Purves Nature Center, 1505 N. Broadway Ave., UrbanaINHS Medical Entomology Lab, 1902 Griffith Drive, Champaign
Noel said to give her a call to schedule a pick-up at 217-300-5941 or email krnoel@illinois.edu
“If someone is unable to make it to a pickup location, we are also able to mail the materials, but the participants will need to provide their own cup for the collection,” Noel said.
West Nile was first detected in 1999 in New York, according to the Illinois Department of Health. In Illinois, the virus was first detected in September 2001 from two dead crows in the Chicago area.
Illinois has had 884 human cases, with 64 resulting in death, according to the IDPH since.
The infection symptoms include slight fever, headache, high fever, body aches, tremors, and more. Symptoms generally happen within 3-14 days of a bite from an infected mosquito. Those over the age of 60 are more at risk.
“Stay vigilant on mosquito bite protection: use an EPA-registered insect repellent (always follow product label instructions and reapply as directed), and wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants,” Noel said. “You can also wear clothes treated with permethrin (this should not be used on bare skin), which is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes (as a bonus, it’s great against ticks). You can purchase pretreated clothing or treat items yourself. If treating items yourself, make sure to read and follow all the product instructions.”
She adds, take steps to control the mosquito population around your home.
“Keep windows and doors shut or make sure their screens are free of gaps and holes. At least once a week, empty or throw out any items that hold water (vases, flowerpot saucers, birdbaths, even toys),” Noel said. “Even the smallest containers that collect water can breed mosquitoes.”