In an effort to help reduce and control mosquito populations, the City of Bartlesville conducts mosquito spraying in residential areas during the summer months.
The city is divided into 10 sections and two sections are sprayed each evening, weather permitting — generally between the hours of 6 p.m. and midnight — allowing for the entire city to be sprayed every five days.
The vehicle used to conduct the spraying travels at about 10 mph, covering about 150 feet on either side of the applicator. Both streets and alleys are sprayed.
Spraying begins in early summer, when mosquitoes become active, and ends when the temperatures drop, typically around October.
What you can do
However, to be effective, property owners need to take measures to control mosquito propagation on private property. The City recommends that property owners:
- Eliminate standing water from all containers, no matter how small, such as buckets, wheelbarrows, flower pots, potted plant drain pans, boat and equipment tarps;
- Store boats with a cover or upside down;
- Remove yard waste, such as old tires that may hold water, if only in small pools;
- Clean out gutters and down spouts to let water run freely;
- Replace water daily in wading pools, bird baths and pet watering bowls. Mosquitoes that are most likely to carry the West Nile Virus do not breed in fresh or flowing water.
- Keep the lawn cut short and shrubbery trimmed. Adult mosquitoes like to stay out of the sun because it dries out their bodies and kills them, so they rest in tall grass and shaded areas;
- Fill-in low spots in the yard to prevent standing water.
The City of Bartlesville recommends that individuals use mosquito repellant according to the directions provided by manufacturers and limit outdoor activities at dawn and dusk which is the main feeding time for mosquitoes. Learn more about mosquito control and its benefits to curbing the spread of the West Nile Virus, by visiting the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
More information
For more information, see Mosquito repellent and Mosquito bite prevention
Contact
For questions and concerns about mosquito spraying inside the city limits, call 918-338-4154.