HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Mosquito control is underway in Havre and the Hill County Weed and Mosquito District has started their summer fogging.
Weed and Mosquito Supervisor Terry Turner said, before they start fogging their first move is to kill the mosquitoes in the water, because once they get airborne it’s a little more difficult.
“It’s easier to kill a bunch of them in the water then when they get airborne. Because once they get airborne, they gotta be actually in the air to be killed. So, I kinda tell people if you hear the truck coming along, run around stir them up and get those mosquitoes airborne.
Turner says just one cup of water can produce 250 mosquitoes and spare tires can also be a hot spot for breeding.
“Don’t leave any used tires laying around, because boy they can hatch out mosquitoes in two to four days, you know, in the hot temperatures.”
When fogging they use a chemical called Permanone and Turner said the public can go inside if they like but they shouldn’t worry as it is pretty safe.
“Generally, you’ll see the fog drifting to one side of the street or the other. So, you know, if you don’t want to be in the fog you can go to the other side of the street or go inside the house or whatever. But the stuff we’re using is pretty safe. We try to use the safest product that’s out there.”
The key time everyone should make sure they are protected with repellent is in the evening Turner said, as the mosquitoes that carry viruses usually come out at this time.
“The Culex Carsalis is the main one and that usually comes out about a half hour before sundown and they stay out all night long then they go back in before sunup. So, that’s the key time to make sure you have some sort of protection on such as DEETer prepared to protect you from the West Nile Virus.”
For more information visit hillcounty.us/departments/weed-department.
