The City of Lawton is Fighting Back Against Mosquitoes!

If you've been outside at all over the past week or so you certainly don't need me to tell you this, there are mosquitoes everywhere! All the recent rains have doubled, maybe even tripled the mosquito population.

The City of Lawton is fighting back against the mosquito invasion with their Vector Program. They'll begin fogging starting on Monday, May 23rd (05-23-22) using a special chemical that will kill adult mosquitoes.

Health experts and veterinarians across the state are warning Oklahomans about the dangers of mosquitoes and how to avoid not only getting bit but how to keep them from completely taking over.

Mosquitoes can carry all kinds of diseases and can really make you sick if you're bitten. Probably the most known diseases are Malaria and West Nile Virus, but mosquitoes can carry all kinds of other diseases as well. Not only are they dangerous to humans but to all of our four-legged friends as well. Flood mosquitoes are one of the leading causes of heartworms in both dogs and cats. Make sure you're protecting your pets.

Get all the details on the City of Lawton's Vector Program below

They infect pets by biting them and it can cause serious health issues, even death to your pet if not treated in time. Vets are urging owners to make sure their pets are taking regular heartworm pills or some other form of preventive treatment to help reduce and hopefully eliminate the risk of getting heartworms. This in combination with a flea and tick collar and treated yard will go a long way in protecting your pets.

When it comes to protecting yourself make sure you're using repellent preferably one with Deet or something comparable. If possible wear long sleeves while outdoors. I know in Oklahoma during the Summer that's near impossible. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk so try to avoid being outdoors during this time.

Mosquitoes love standing and still water so make sure you empty anything outdoors that holds water including birdbaths, open rain barrels, clogged drains and gutters where water can stand, untreated swimming pools, and splash pads, basically anything that can hold water needs to be drained, emptied and dried up. Otherwise, it becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and you'll never be rid of them.

The wetter it gets, the worse it gets when it comes to the mosquito population. The City of Lawton has be fogging as part of the city's Vector Program and will continue to do so in all populated areas through September. Click here for all the details and for a map that shows what areas and days they'll be fogging for mosquitoes. Take all the steps you can to keep yourself and your pets healthy from mosquito bites.