Bismarck, N.D. (AP) The entomologist for an Ohio Air Force Reserve unit that sprays for mosquitoes in North Dakota says the state is probably a "lifetime customer." The unit based at Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna, Ohio has been spraying in areas around Minot and Grand Forks since 2001.

This year, Williston was added.

Entomologist Mark Breidenbaugh (BRY'-den-bough) says Williston's mosquito problem is as bad as he's seen. The northwestern North Dakota city is near Little Muddy and Missouri Rivers that swell from Rocky Mountain snowmelt.

Williston mosquito board member Steve Kemp says swarms of the bugs chased people to their cars last summer, "like a scene from a sci-fi horror movie." Williston residents voted in November to pay more money for bug control to help bring the C-130 planes from Ohio this spring. Mayor Ward Koeser says the city may never get rid of the mosquitoes, but with the help of nature and the Air Force, he hopes they can be managed.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-04-09 1452CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list