The City of Pierre has started its summer mosquito control program– and, weather permitting, that includes spraying for mosquitoes tonight (June 16, 2022) at Steamboat Park ahead of this weekend’s Oahe Days activities.
Parks and Recreation Director Bryan Tipton says they use a three-pronged approach to control the local mosquito population –larviciding, adulticiding and prevention. He says hatching usually starts a few days after a rain, so they started larviciding parks and sports fields this week.
Tipton says the most effective way to control the mosquito population is to eliminate their breeding habitats, and that’s where property owners are essential to mosquito mitigation. He says the City clears stagnant water on city property, but residents need to remove standing water from their property.
Tipton says home owners should empty out bird baths, tire swings and any outdoor containers that collect and hold water. He says even a small puddle can produce thousands of mosquitoes.
Mosquitos breed as long as conditions are favorable. People should continue to eliminate stagnant water throughout the summer to help control the mosquito population.
Ethan Gilk with the Pierre City Parks Department checks a mosquito trap at the City arboretum.
Courtesy photo.
Comments