The Winnebago County Health Department is recruiting neighborhood ‘Mosquito Captains’ to defend their communities against West Nile Virus this summer.

The Mosquito Captains would look for areas of standing water in which mosquitos may breed, and report these areas back to the WCHD.

The Mosquito Captains would also provide information to residents on how to Reduce, Repel and Report and reduce mosquito population.

WCHD says residents who would like to be a Mosquito Captain can contact them at 815-720-4100 for more information.

You can help protect yourself and your family from West Nile virus by following the 3Rs:
 Reduce the number of disease carrying mosquitoes around your home and neighborhood by:
 Dumping standing water every five days
 Cleaning up debris such as old leaves and twigs
 Getting rid of old tires
 Making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens without tears or openings
 Repel mosquitoes to avoid bites by:
 Wearing shoes with socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors
 Using EPA-registered insect repellant containing 25-30% DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535, according to label instructions
 Report dead birds to WCHD at 815-720-4245