Uh-oh! Here they come!

We’ve got Trouble, with a capital T! Right here in River City! Yep, they’ve found mosquitos that tested positive for the West Nile Virus right her in Chesterfield and some areas of unincorporated Creve Coeur.

Ok, so there are no reported human cases of the West Nile Virus in St. Louis County this year (as yet!), but you need to know what you can do to do to help prevent that from happening. The St. Louis County Health Department Director Dolores J. Gunn reminds us that we need to minimize our exposure to the critters. Do it by elimination of standing pools of water, cleaning out the gutters of leaves and using repellants (see below). 

Here’s  a list of things you can do to help:

1) At least once a week, empty all standing water from gabage cans, wading pools, pet dishes, buckets, and any other areas that may collect water.

2) Use a product with the active ingredient methoprene or Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israclensis) to place in birdbaths or ponds, to prevent mosiquitos from developing.

3) Repair screens on doors/windows

4) Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and light colored colors outdoors.

5) Spray clothing with repellents containing DEET

To find out when the county will be spraying, call 615-4-BUG for the nightly spray schedule. For more information on mosquito prevention contact the County Vector Control office at 314-727-3097 or click here.