Tulsa, OK

Yes, we all wish they would go away. Arm yourself with information: this time of year these insects attack in full force.

150 species of mosquitoes are found in the United States. (There are more than 2,500 different species in the world!) All mosquitoes must have water in which to complete their life cycle. They lay their eggs in places that periodically hold water, sewage effluent ponds, irrigated pastures, rain water ponds, etc. Larvae hatch from the eggs within 24 to 48 hours and then live in water for at least seven days before becoming an adult mosquito.

Only the adult females bite humans and other animals. The male mosquitoes feed only on plant juices. Female mosquitoes feed on man, domesticated animals, birds, all types of wild animals, as well as snakes, lizards, frogs, and toads.

The length of life of the adult mosquito depends on temperature, humidity, sex of the mosquito and time of year. Most males live a very short time, about a week; and females may live about a month.

So, how do we get rid of them? Here are some tips that will help you control the number of these insects around your home.

1.  Eliminate all standing water – areas where water stands for days after a rain.

• Small containers, including drip trays under plant pots, discarded or broken plant containers or dishes can harbor mosquito larvae. Empty them when water stands longer than a few days.

• Even bird baths can be breeding places for mosquitoes. Change the water weekly.

• Leaves that accumulate in your gutter can collect water, and serve as perfect moist places for mosquitoes to lay their larvae. Keep your gutters free of leaves during mosquito season.

• Old tires thrown into a brush pile or corner can collect water. Find another use for them, or dispose of them properly.

• Fill in low-lying areas of your yard where water pools and stands.

• Cover your trash cans and drill holes in the bottom so that water can drain out.

• Drain plastic wading pools every few days.

2.  Keep grass mowed and shrubs trimmed around your home. Mosquitoes hide in vegetation.

3. Protect yourself. Peak biting times are dawn, dusk and early evening. Stay inside when possible, or wear loose, light-colored clothing (long-sleeved shirts and long pants) if you go out. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain 35 percent DEET. In comparison to DEET based products, plant oil-based repellents are generally effective for a shorter time (usually less than about two hours).

4. Finally, put up bat houses to encourage bats to live in your area. Oklahoma bats are insect eaters. They have voracious appetites and eat more than half their body weight in mosquitoes and other insects in a single evening – some as many as 1,000 creatures per hour! There are 22 different species of bats found in Oklahoma, and three of them are listed as Endangered Species. More than 45 species of bats live in the United States.

Like birds, bats prefer a source of shelter and they’ll often hang out in old trees and large shrubs. Bats nest in abandoned buildings, hollow trees, under a building’s eves, in loose tree bark, and in bat houses. Bats also enjoy water features, such as ponds, where insects may congregate. Planting night-blooming flowers will help attract bats.