The heavy rains in May caused several rivers to come out of their banks and now with warmer temperatures we are already seeing and feeling the nuisance that it has left behind … yep, mosquitoes. The Logan County Health Department is offering helpful tips and precautions dealing with the nuisance.
“We want to remind everyone to use insect repellent when outdoors and mosquito-proof their home and yard,” said Logan County Health Department Administrative Director Jay Smith.
- The type of mosquitoes that hatch after severe flooding are primarily the species of mosquitoes classified as “nuisance mosquitoes”. They bite aggressively and cause lots of itchy bites, but they are not typically involved with transmission of diseases.
- Floodwater mosquito populations tend to die out 3 weeks after the rains stop and the sun dries out affected low lying areas.
- Culex species of mosquitoes are the primary vector of West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis. This type of mosquito increases in numbers during mid to late summer when the temperatures climb and the weather pattern is drier.
- Since WNV was introduced into Oklahoma, there have been 3 outbreak years – 2003, 2007 and 2012. All three of these seasons were characterized by higher than normal summer temperatures and drought.
The Logan County Health Department provides larvicidal briquettes, commonly called “mosquito dunks”, to the public. The briquettes are deposited in standing water and provide an eco-friendly method of mosquito control. The active ingredient in the briquettes works by killing mosquito larvae before they are able to develop into adult, biting mosquitoes.
Among the precautions to take against mosquito bites are the following:
- Use an insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin and clothing when you go outdoors, particularly if you are outside between dusk and dawn when WNV-infected mosquitoes are more likely to bite. (Insect repellent with permethrin should be used on clothing only.)
- Repair or install window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
- Prevent items such as buckets, cans, pool covers, flower pots, and tires from holding standing water so mosquitoes don’t have a place to breed.
- Empty your pet’s outdoor water bowl and refill daily.
- Clean leaves and debris from rain gutters regularly to ensure they are not clogged.
For more information, contact the Logan County Health Department at 405-282-3485, or visit the following helpful links:
http://www.ok.gov/health2/documents/Mosquitoborne%20Disease%20Prevention%20fact%20sheet.2012.pdf
http://entoplp.okstate.edu/mosquito/control/
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