Hammond Mosquito Abatement Program
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr. will hold a press conference on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 1PM at Wolf Lake Park (Calumet and Sheffield Avenue) to announce a comprehensive mosquito abatement program, the first such program of its type in Hammond since the early 1970’s. The press conference will also feature remarks by Frank Dupey, former Hammond Police Chief and a victim of West Nile Virus which left Mr. Dupey permanently impaired as a result of the disease contacted through a mosquito bite in 2007.
The Hammond Mosquito Abatement program is based on three steps:
  | Larvaecide |
| Comprehensive spraying of the entire City |
| Elimination of breeding habitats |
According to Mayor McDermott, “Summer is a time to enjoy our city and its many offerings. We can significantly reduce the serious health risks posed by West Nile Virus and Encephalitis to our residents by implementing these very encompassing efforts. ”
The Lake County Board of Health has begun efforts to bait every manhole and catch basin in the City with larvaecide. This approach kills larvae before they become adults and replicate. The bait is designed to last an entire season.
The second step is to spray the entire city every 7-10 days. On average, mosquitoes reproduce every 14-21 days and the regular spraying schedule will seriously disrupt the emergence of mosquitoes. The city recently purchased spraying equipment and chemicals for the program. The chemicals pose no risk to those who have breathing issues, who are pregnant or to pets. Spraying will generally take place after dusk (10PM to 2PM) when mosquitoes are most active. Spraying will begin on Sunday, June 21st weather permitting. In addition to spraying the entire city on a scheduled basis, Hammond will also spray for special events and outdoor gatherings such as Festival of the Lakes and local Little League tournaments. Operational cost of the program is estimated at about $15,000 per year.
The third step in the program is to eliminate the areas in which disease-carrying culex mosquitoes breed such as gutters, buckets and tarps. The County Board of Health notes that lakes such as: Lake Michigan, Wolf Lake and George Lake are not primary breeding areas since larvae is destroyed by wave action, or eaten by the fish, insects and birds that are found in lakes. “We can spray but our efforts will not eradicate mosquitoes unless residents do their part,” noted Mayor McDermott. “Its important for us to do everything possible to reduce the potential for disease carried by mosquitoes.” The City’s Code Enforcement Department has been assigned to check for areas of standing water or containers that collect water suitable for mosquito breeding in yards, etc.
Mayor McDermott noted that: “Although these efforts will not eliminate every mosquito, it will allow us to manage infestation and make our community a more enjoyable place to be outside in during the upcoming summer.”
For further information regarding this release, please contact Tom Dabertin at 219 218-2735.
