How the Tulsa Health Department is tackling mosquito and tick season

It's fun to spend time outside in the summer, but it's also when mosquitoes and ticks are out in full force. The Tulsa Health Department says the rain we've had lately has left a lot of standing water, leading to a rise in the number of mosquitoes around Green Country.

A significant increase in mosquitoes

You may be seeing fogging trucks around town more often.

"They do harbor disease. The mosquito that we're after here in Oklahoma, specifically Tulsa County, is known as the Culex mosquitoes. There's several different species, but they're capable of carrying West Nile and transferring it to a person," said THD's Vector Program Coordinator Michael Morrison.

They place traps around town to figure out which places have the most mosquitoes and if any have West Nile virus. Then they use that information to decide which neighborhoods to treat with the trucks. Morrison says the best ways to protect yourself are to use insect repellent, eliminate any standing water near your home, and dress in long sleeves.

"There is clothes that can be purchased that's actually already pre-treated with an insect insecticide," said Morrison.

The state health department says they've seen five cases of West Nile already this year.

Ticks also carry risk of disease

But it's not just mosquitoes that carry diseases. Morrison says ticks are also prevalent this time of year, something Ayrton Adams knows all too well.

"Swelling of the throat and head, couldn't breathe, no good," said Adams.

He's had alpha-gal for years—doctors told him likely from a tick bite. Now, if he eats red meat, he'll have a reaction.

"I miss eating steak, I miss eating beef, and you know, there's certain types of pork, I can't have venison, anything related to red meat," said Adams.

He says he's thankful for everything the health department does to keep people safe and informed.

When it comes to ticks, THD says that timing is key. It can take ticks up to twenty-four hours to transmit a disease, so always check yourself immediately after you leave heavily wooded areas.

Related: 'I want people to know': Green Country family warns about Alpha-Gal Syndrome

How to track Mosquitoes with West Nile

Tulsa Health Department tracks where mosquitoes with West Nile virus are found on their website. You can visit that page here.