Military might still spray bugs in Williston

WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) — The military might end up spraying for mosquitoes in Williston this year after all.

Williams County officials said earlier that they did not want to ask the Air Force because crews are dealing with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

County vector control director Fran Bosch now says Air Force entomologists are available and want to come back to Williston. Bosch says a crew based in Youngstown, Ohio, that has helped spray for mosquitoes in Williston the past two years is trying to free up a plane.

The vector control district also has a backup plan to use smaller planes.

The Williston region has long had mosquito problems because the Missouri River often floods low-lying areas in the spring, creating thousands of acres of standing water that are ideal for mosquito breeding.

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