Mosquito Abatement

The Town of Brookfield Mosquito Abatement Program is an ongoing mosquito control program to assist in the prevention of mosquito borne illnesses and improve the enjoyment of private residences and Town recreational areas and parks.

History

In 1994, both a referendum and a resident motion at the annual meeting proposing mosquito control measures failed. However, at the 1995 annual meeting, a motion was successfully passed to initiate mosquito control on a trial basis. This involved treating the parks and the surrounding wetlands. The trial proved effective, and due to its success, mosquito control efforts continued in the following years. In 1998, a motion was passed to expand the program Town-wide, building on the positive results of the initial efforts.

Current Efforts

The Town’s program includes treatments of adulticide at Town parks and town-wide roadside applications as necessary to control mosquito population. The roadside applications of adulticide utilize a truck mounted sprayer that releases a “fog” that treats the areas adjacent to the road.

Adulticides released into the air treat ONLY adult mosquitoes that are active during the time of the application. 

Spraying helps reduce mosquito populations but DOES NOT reach private backyards. The spray works only when adult mosquitoes are present, so some may remain if they are not active during application.

Application Parameters

Adulticide spraying occurs when mosquitoes are most active and when pollinating insects are not active. Applications are scheduled based on the following:

• Staff observed mosquito activity and citizen complaints.
• Applications typically completed between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
• Temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Winds are below 10 miles per hour.
• No rain is expected.

Spraying operations may be delayed or canceled due to changes in the weather conditions.

Spraying Schedule

Roadside applications are completed in four sections according to the following list:

• Section I: South of Davidson Road
• Section II: South of Bluemound Road, North of Davidson Road
• Section III: North of Bluemound Road; south of North Avenue
• Section IV: North of North Avenue

Below is the anticipated application schedule for the current year.

What can I do as a property owner?

Great question! Mosquito control needs to be a coordinated effort between the Town, residents and businesses. Residents and businesses are encouraged to:

• Ensure that window and door screens are in good condition to help prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
• Eliminate or properly dispose of items around your property that can collect and hold standing water, as they can become mosquito breeding sites.
• Clean roof gutters and downspouts regularly to ensure proper drainage and prevent standing water.
• Change the water in bird baths and pet dishes at least every three days.
• Clean and chlorinate pools, hot tubs, and outdoor saunas regularly. Be sure to drain water from pool covers to prevent standing water.
• Regularly trim tall grass, weeds, and vines around your property, as these areas provide cool, shaded resting spots for mosquitoes during the hottest parts of the day.
• Landscape to prevent water from pooling in low-lying areas.
• Residents and businesses are also encouraged to contract pest control services for mosquito management on their properties.

Other Information

In addition to these activities, the Town also engages in ongoing catch basin and/or storm inlet cleaning to reduce mosquito-breeding areas. The following links provide additional information on mosquito borne illness or what you can do to alter mosquito habitat.

• CDC Mosquito Control at Home
• CDC Zika Virus Information