Battle Plan
The Department of Public Services Sewer Division will continue to clean the 4,500 catch basins under its responsibility. In May, they will send crews out to drop larvicide briquettes in each basin. These briquettes, which last 150 days, prevent mosquito larva from maturing into adults, reducing the summer mosquito population significantly. Basins will be tested periodically to assure that the larvicide is doing its job.
Streets & Facilities Division
The Streets and Facilities Division is responsible for treating areas of standing water in the parks, commercial and industrial areas such as storm water retention and detention ponds, and fountains with larvicide. They also set traps in a number of areas. These traps monitor the mosquito activity in that area.Code Enforcement
Code Enforcement staff, as they drive the City, are scouting out problem areas. Artificial containers that may hold standing water include old tires, oil drums, birdbaths, etc. They are stressing to residents and business owners that these “containers’ serve as the perfect mosquito breeding area if water is allowed to collect and stand.What You Can Do
The best way for each and every one of us to fight West Nile Virus is to practice the 3 R’s - Reduce, Repel, Report.- Reduce areas of standing water around your home. Eave troughs, birdbaths, children’s toys, swimming pools with and without covers, bottles, pails, jars, tires - anywhere that water is allowed to collect and become stagnant will become a breeding place for mosquitoes. If you need it, empty it and make sure it stays empty. If you don’t need it, throw it away!
- Repel - If you are planning to spend time outdoors, use a mosquito repellant before you go out. Use commercial repellant with a 20% to 30% mix of DEET (N, N Diethyl-meta toluamide) found in well known brands such as Cutters, Off, etc. DEET-based repellants should not be used on infants. Children ages 2 to 6 can tolerate no more than a 10% solution. Care must be taken to avoid the eyes when administering repellants.
- Proper clothing can go a long way to providing protection. Make sure that you and your children were long sleeves and pants during the primary mosquito biting times from sunset to midnight. Also check your window and door screens. Have them repaired to keep you safe inside, while mosquitoes stay outside.
- Report - Dead birds should be reported to Oakland County at the 877-377-3641 hotline. Also report any stagnant or standing water that you cannot remove yourself by calling 248-589-2294.
- The City is aware of many of the drainage problems that exist. Every effort is being made to repair these problems as quickly as possible. Limited resources mean that we must ask you to help. Sweeping water from depressions to spread it out after spring and summer showers will reduce areas of standing water until repairs can be made. A simple garage broom is an effective weapon in the fight against WNV.