OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — After the recent flooding some may be concerned the extra water will mean extra mosquitoes. But that may not necessarily be the case.
There are thousands of mosquito species around the world but in Nebraska we see about three or four different types. And typically mosquitoes don't show up until later in the year as it starts to warm up.
Jonathan Larson with Nebraska Extension for Douglas and Sarpy Counties said they are always worried about seeing more mosquitoes flying around after flooding. However mosquitoes like to lay their eggs in all different kinds of bodies of water. Some like flood areas, others use constant bodies of water, some like areas such as tree holes, buckets and tires.
"If you got things on your property that accumulate water, tip them over on a weekly basis that way mosquitoes can't complete their development, if you got bird baths and things like that it's also a good thing to do, if you have permanent bodies of water that maybe get mosquito larva in them you can treat with a mosquito dunk," said Larson, extension entomologist.
He added the colder weather will be a factor in seeing less mosquitoes because if it is too cold the eggs can't hatch. When looking for a mosquito repellent to wear outside this summer Larson recommended buying a repellent with 20 to 40 percent of an active ingredient for up to four hours of protection. "We're always worried about West Nile Virus in this area, Nebraska was the number one state for West Nile last year and everybody should be taking precautions against mosquitoes to protect themselves," said Larson.
The active ingredients to look for are Deet, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus.
