Hays Post

While the region revels in the precipitation received in June, the increased rainfall has led to another problem — mosquitos.

While the city of Russell is opting for a chemical fog to prevent larvae into developing into adult blood-suckers, the city of Hays is hoping treating standing water and educating residents will help stem the tide.

Jeff Boyle, director of the Hays Parks Department, said his crews treat areas of standing water with chemical briquets, designed to kill mosquitos in the larvae stage. But the city only treats areas on public property such as the draws on Skyline Drive and Canal.

“The biggest thing we need to do is educate the public, quite honestly,” Boyle said. “Mosquitos love stagnant water.”

Examples of breeding grounds he said he has seen are clogged gutters, old tarps behind sheds, tire swings, and even old cups and bowls in yards.

“These are the perfect spots for mosquito breeding,” Boyle said. “I would encourage citizens to take the time to look around their yard, see if they have something similar to that that could be occurring.”

Insecticide fogging in Hays likely won’t happen. For starters, the city doesn’t have the equipment required for such an effort.

In addition, Boyle isn’t convinced of the efficiency of fogging, noting the window to kill mosquitos is relatively short — two to three hours in the morning and evening.

“If you don’t hit them when they’re out … those mosquitos are already hidden under a tree trunk or inside a piece of peeling bark … or wherever,” he said. “The chemical is not getting to them.”

The also are issues of health concerns related to aerated insecticide, as well as the unintended consequence of killing non-targeted insect species.

“When you take that all into account,” Boyle said, “it’s probably not the best control method.”

Inspecting for and eliminating water can be effective, he said, noting the small areas of standing water on public land are vastly outnumbered by potential breeding grounds at private dwellings.

“Any little dab of standing water is a probable location for moquitos to lay their eggs,” Boyle said. “Those little areas we’re treating (with briquets) won’t even have an impact on what is possible with all of the homes.”