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Knowing more about any problem helps in solving it. This is especially true regarding mosquitoes.

Surveillance activities by City and university people over the years have shown that there is not one type of mosquito in the Norman area, but many species. Each species has different breeding habits. One type may breed after heavy rains, while another becomes more abundant during droughts. All species require water for their eggs to hatch. The water may result from rain filling a debris-clogged ditch, from a swampy area near a creek, or from an artificial container like a birdbath or an old tire.

The first few days of a mosquito's life must be spent in the water, whether it is in a rusty tin can or a hole in the ground. The adult mosquitoes emerge after this larval stage.

Mosquitoes like to live in moist shady places, such as tall grass or dense shrubbery, where they are protected from sun and wind and can suck plant nectars for food. The female mosquito needs protein from blood in order for her eggs to develop. This is why mosquitoes become a pest to humans.

Mosquitoes seek you out because your blood is an excellent protein source. You can try to discourage them by using repellents such as Deet (OFF), Avon Skin-So-Soft, or garlic sprays.

Many pest mosquitoes don't travel very far to look for a source of protein. They may be breeding and flourishing in your own back yard.

Some breed only in artificial containers such as wading pools or old tires. They have become a major urban nuisance. They generally bite people in the late afternoon and at dusk, while native species of mosquitoes are more likely to be nighttime biters. The native species of mosquitoes are most likely to breed in poorly drained areas along creeks and ditches.

The City of Norman treats some of these areas with BTI, a spray which kills the mosquitoes but is non-toxic to other organisms. However, some areas are inaccessible or are located on private property, so mosquitoes breed in these locations.

Sampling traps have been set up around town.  If these traps reveal high enough numbers of mosquitoes in any area, that area is fogged at night to reduce the number of adults.  Because of their blood feeding habit, mosquitoes can carry diseases, like encephalitis and dengue fever.  Health officials fear an increase in these diseases, so we should all try to control the mosquitoes that could carry them.

The following list contains ideas that will help to discourage the breeding of mosquitoes around your home:

	Remove old tires, buckets, and other water holding objects.
	Change water in bird baths at least once a week.
	Drain or fill stagnant water holes around the yard.
	Cut tall grass and weeds but don't throw the clippings into drainage ditches.
	Stock ornamental ponds with top minnows, guppies, bluegills, or other mosquito eating fish.
	Control dense populations of mosquitoes in your backyard by spraying the yard with an approved chemical.
	Other possibilities include:  build martin houses; use citronella candles; use garlic sprays.

For more information:

See the Oklahoma State University Extension Service Bulletin #7012 "Mosquitoes Control" available at the Cleveland County Extension Office OR the 
City of Norman 
Parks & Recreation Department.  Call matt Dowling at the city of Norman Parks Dept. 366-5472

Click HERE to download "Be A Good Neighbor" in PDF format.