Mosquitoes in Chicago? (Skokie, Oak Park, Lincoln: home, camping, to live)

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by Jandur

None in the city itself. When I lived out in the burbs there were mosquitoes depending on where you were exactly.

There are Mosquitos in places along both branches of the Chicago River and down by the Calumet River too. But as as been said they generally aren't seen much in Chicago.

[Chicago60614]

Been here 11 years and I don't remember ever being bit. Suburbs are a different story.

[gardener34]

Burbs can be bad, especially unincorporated areas. Our township does not spray for mosquitoes, (rarely). So they are jungle like after rains. Thus west nile is always a problem in our county.

Although you can mitigate the problems with sprays to the lawn and use of DEET. and a screen house if the town will let you put one up.

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

There are Mosquitos in places along both branches of the Chicago River and down by the Calumet River too.

Yep, and around the ponds in parks. I also strangely encountered some at the Division Street fest 2 or 3 summers ago, which is weird since I was probably a mile or two from the river. They're definitely around, but in extremely small numbers compared to what you usually find in this part of the country.

[sydlee]

OP here. Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to answer my questions. I greatly appreciate every response.

I've noticed many people here mention the suburbs are worse than the city when it comes to mosquitoes. Do suburbs closer to the city (e.g. Skokie, Oak Park) also suffer significantly from mosquitoes, or are they more like Chicago proper? Are the suburbs suffering from too many mosquitoes much farther away than places like Skokie and Oak Park?

Sorry if this sounds like I'm nitpicking. I'm having a hard time picturing this. In Los Angeles, the suburb-city transition is so seamless, and there isn't much of a difference in the environment. (Well, there is a difference, but it's extremely subtle and has more to do w/the buildings and landscaping. It's not like there are more rivers/streams in the suburbs, if you get my meaning.) So I'm wondering if perhaps in Chicago, the city-suburb divide is more obvious (e.g. immediately more lakes, streams, meadows, less developed just outside the city), and that's why there's more stagnant water for the mosquitoes in the suburbs. Does it suddenly become noticeably pastoral (w/more opportunities for standing water) the moment you pass beyond city limits? Or are the suburbs w/mosquitoes *much* farther out, well past suburbs immediately bordering the City of Chicago?

Thank you again for everyone's time. You've already been a big help! Thank you again!

[knitgirl]

No, it doesnt

[Aleking]

These responses are weird...there are most definitely mosquitoes in Chicago. In fact, they are common and found in real high numbers in wooded areas or around standing water (both found in great numbers inside and outside the city). Their numbers were down last summer but that was largely drought related. Lots of municipalities will spray to combat west nile virus spread by mosquitos and infections are increasingly common, including inside the city. If you are allergic, this would be a poor move.

[Chi-town Native]

I didn't ever notice mosquitos when I was living east of Damen, but there do seem to be more mosquitos in recent years in my neighborhood. I am a mile west of the River, so it might just be that there are more backyards here and less of the 100% paved properties increasingly common further east.

[sueprnova]

We lived near Harlem/Diversey... you were a fool if you went outside late afternoon/early evening without repellent on.

[Irishtom29]

Half the posters here don't even know where Harlem and Diversey is.