It’s mosquito season, and the Tulsa Health Department’s control and surveillance program is already underway.
Trapped mosquitoes are tested weekly for potential illnesses, including West Nile and Zika. The health department will also spray hundreds of square miles for adult mosquitoes. Vector Control Coordinator Scott Meador said there are 64 species of mosquitoes in Oklahoma.
"They're like flowers. They just come out at different times," Meador said. "Right now, you're probably experiencing what we call the floodwater mosquitoes. They don't live very long. They're big. They're voracious biters."
The ideal conditions for adult disease-spreading mosquitoes are consistent temperatures 85 or above and no rain for five to 10 days. That usually has them coming out around June 1.
The health department will spray hundreds of square miles this year for adult mosquitoes. You can help by getting rid of standing water near your home and getting your neighbors to do the same.
"That's the best defense against mosquitoes as a whole, but especially against the mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus and that are the daytime biters," Meador said.
The mosquitoes that spread Zika, Chikungunya and Dengue bite during the day, while those that spread West Nile bite at night.
Many people are worried about the Zika virus, but West Nile is still the department’s chief concern. Epidemiologist Nicole Shlaefli said the West Nile virus can cause a milder, flu-like illness or a neurological one.
"If you happen to have any of those symptoms where you're not really making sense to the people around you or you have a fever, you're not feeling well, something is just not right — we do want you to go to your doctor," Schlaefli said.
The health department recommends draining standing water around your home, wearing pants and long sleeves, and using a repellent with DEET to minimize mosquito bites and your chance of getting sick.
