City of Altus shares community plans to fight against mosquitoes

The City of Altus Makes Community Mosquito Control Plans

With the approach of mosquito season, the City of Altus, Oklahoma, is getting a head start on controlling the city's burgeoning mosquito population and eliminating the threat of mosquito-borne diseases. As warmer weather sets in and more people venture outdoors, city leaders are stressing the need for combined efforts between city services and citizens to control these pests.

Mosquito Fogging Scheduled

The City of Altus has scheduled mosquito fogging activities for the evenings on Wednesday, May 14, and Thursday, May 15, 2025. A professional pest control company will perform the work and concentrate in areas where mosquito activity is most prevalent.

Fogging will start in the evening after sunset and last through the night. This schedule is deliberately chosen because mosquitoes become more active later in the evening and throughout the night. Fogging significantly lessens adult mosquito numbers in the public domain, such as parks, streets, and residential neighborhoods.

Safety Precautions for Residents

• Although the chemicals employed in fogging are safe for public health, the city is warning residents to take certain precautions during treatment hours to avoid exposure as much as possible:
• Remain indoors with windows and doors shut during fogging operations.
• Bring pets inside and take pet food and water bowls away from outdoor locations.
• Keep outdoor furniture, children's toys, and household objects that are not covered under the house covered or moved to a different location.
• Steer clear of contact with the fogging trucks—do not walk behind them or stay outside as they go by.
• Residents with respiratory problems, allergies, or chemical sensitivities are particularly urged to take these precautions seriously.

Community's Role in Mosquito Prevention

City officials emphasize that mosquito control is most successful when residents become involved in getting rid of breeding sites. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, and even small containers may become a breeding ground if left alone.

• Dwellers are asked to inspect their homes often and do the following:
• Drain standing water from flowerpots, pet bowls, buckets, and birdbaths.
• Place unused containers indoors or upside-down so water will not collect.
• Clean rain gutters to achieve drainage and minimize standing water accumulation.
• Inspect tarps, trash cans, and pool covers for water puddles.

These incremental but regular endeavors can significantly bring down the density of mosquitoes within any area and supplement the fogging program of the city. 

Significance of Mosquito Control

Mosquitoes are not just troublesome—they carry disease that can jeopardize the health of humans as well as animals. Some diseases associated with mosquitoes in the U.S. include:

• West Nile Virus
• Zika Virus
• Dengue Fever
• Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

Though not all mosquitoes transmit disease, health agencies urge individuals to take measures to reduce the risk of transmission, particularly when mosquito activity increases from late spring to early autumn.

City's Ongoing Monitoring

The City of Altus will continue to track mosquito activity during the season. Additional fogging or intensified mosquito control procedures will be programmed if needed. Public health and safety are still the city's highest concerns, and citizens will be informed if there are changes or modifications to the mosquito control plan.

For anyone with concerns or questions, the city has released the contact information for the pest control company responsible for the fogging. Citizens are asked to call directly if they see more mosquitoes around their neighborhood or want to know more about safety protocols. 

Conclusion

Mosquito control is everybody's business. By coordinating professional fogging activities with prevention at the household level, the community can collectively minimize mosquito populations and curtail the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Coordination, vigilance, and timely action will help make this yearly challenge more manageable.