Tulsa Health Department Begins Spraying For Mosquitoes

The mosquito bites are getting so bad in Green Country, some people are spending the rest of their summer nights indoors.

For the first time this year, the Tulsa City-County Health Department is rolling out its mosquito spraying trucks.

Last week, mosquitoes in several areas tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The health department says it tests 50 to 60 batches of mosquitoes weekly, but that's not enough for one Tulsa man.

See the map of mosquito testing sites in Tulsa

"It's just so overwhelming sometimes, you know, you just don't want to go outside," said Ray Armstrong.

Armstrong is itching to get back outdoors and enjoy his deck, but mosquitoes are keeping him inside.

"You're out there five minutes, get eat up and you're ready to come back in," he said.

Armstrong said he's glad to hear the Tulsa Health Department will be out spraying.

8/5/2013 Related Story: Tulsa Mosquito Spray Trucks Combat Spread Of West Nile Virus

Ten square miles at a time, they'll shoot pesticide into the air to kill mosquitoes.

Throughout the summertime the Tulsa Health Department has identified several areas where they think mosquitoes may hatch, and that's where they use control devices, but when they hatch and become large adult mosquitoes, that's when they have to bring out the sprayers.

"If we see an increase in population, we're spraying. West Nile Virus, we're spraying. If we get enough citizens that are calling in complaining, then we're out spraying," said Bernard Dindy, with the health department.

In the latest round of tests, the health department found mosquitoes with WNV in seven different areas.

The health department says they could be out spraying until mid-October.

"A lot of that is weather dependent, because if we get another heavy rain in September and the weather is still warm enough to where we can have mosquito growth breeding, then we will continue to run the program," Dindy said.

Armstrong said he hopes it works.

He said he's tried everything like candles and sprays to keep mosquitoes away.

"I don't know if it's really even a temporary fix, because I sprayed this whole yard yesterday. I wasn't out there two/three minutes and my ankles looked like I had the mumps," Armstrong said.

The health department says, if you do go outside when crews are spraying, give the trucks some space because of the pesticide they're putting out.

It may be hot outside, but the health department says simply rolling down your sleeves and putting on some bug spray can go a long way to keep you mosquito bite free.

The health department has a Mosquito Hotline residents can call to request a spraying: 918-595-4219.