Mosquito Spraying, Gypsy Moth Treatments Scheduled For June 30

Submitted by the city of Geneva

Geneva’s mosquito abatement contractor will be spraying an application of insecticide citywide Monday, June 30 to control the adult insect population.

Spraying is scheduled to take place from dusk to dawn starting June 30 into Tuesday, July 1.

Clarke Environmental will be using a synthetic treatment that is safe for humans and pets, although people with asthma and other respiratory conditions are advised to stay indoors with their windows closed during the misting application and one hour afterward.

Geneva is again coordinating its mosquito spraying with Batavia and St. Charles to provide a more effective coverage area over the Tri-Cities. West Nile Virus has not been detected in Geneva to date in 2014, but one case involving a bird has been reported in Kane County this month.

The sprayings will be rescheduled if it rains or if high winds enter the forecast. A new spraying date will be posted on the City’s website.

Earlier in the day June 30, Geneva residents may notice some low flying planes as the Illinois Department of Agriculture will be treating our region for gypsy moths.

The flake treatment is not harmful to humans or pets, but the City wanted to make residents aware of the airplanes. The state did not provide a time range for its operations saying the treatment is weather dependent.

The Department of Agriculture intends to treat about 38,000 acres at nine sites in northern Illinois for the destructive gypsy moth. Infested sites will receive an application of pheromone, a sexual attractant that disrupts the mating of the moth.

The gypsy moth is a non-native pest that feasts on more than 250 species of trees and shrubs, but prefers oak leaves. Large populations are capable of stripping plants bare, leaving them vulnerable to secondary insect and disease attacks. Severe defoliations also can cause tree death.

For more information about the gypsy moth application, visit the link below.