By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Sometimes the scheduling just does not work out. The city of Great Bend has been spraying for mosquitos each Thursday evening since June. However, a significant rain storm on Wednesday, Aug. 9 set residents up for a worst-case scenario for the pesky insects. Alicia Boor, an agriculture and natural resources agent in the Cottonwood District for K-State Research and Extension, calls it a timing issue.
"The reason we're seeing so many is they breed and it takes seven days, normally, in standing water for the eggs to hatch," she said. "If you recall, seven days ago we had a very large rainstorm that left a lot of puddles of standing water."
There are ways to minimize exposure to mosquitos. They are most active at dusk and dawn, so avoid being outside during those times when possible. Treated long-sleeve shirts and pants are an option, but the most practical option is simple bug spray.
"The more DEET the repellent contains, the longer, not better it will protect you," Boor said. "You need to have good coverage of that. Just pay attention to the label when you're using it."
Boor said the insects will eventually develop a resistance to sprays used by the city, and the public can do its part to eliminate numbers by emptying standing water immediately after rains. Using a mosquito dunk or putting fish in ponds and cattle tanks to eat mosquito larvae before they hatch is also an effective way to keep numbers down.