Local residents fight mosquitoes

Standing water resulting from plentiful rainfall over the last few months coupled with the recent warm temperatures create ideal breeding areas for mosquitoes to quickly increase in numbers, and Albany city employee David Bales has already begun spraying for the pesky insects.

“It looks like it’s going to be hard to control them this year,” said Bales. “There are about six months that we may need to spray (before temperatures drop in the fall). The state says we can only use a certain amount of insecticide per acre, and we can only spray any given area a maximum of 25 times per year, so I can only spray about five times per month.”

Bales varies the products used to spray for adult mosquitoes to try and prevent them from developing resistance to the insecticides. 

“We’ve already started spraying around the park,” Bales said. “And we covered the entire town last Friday.”

Standing water should be prevented whenever possible to eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

“Change the livestock water and pet water bowls regularly,” said Bales. “Get rid of old tires, knock down any weeds, and keep grass cut low.”

Bales explained that tall grass and weeds can offer protection to standing water and also serve as locations for adult mosquitoes to rest during the day.

Bales added that it takes only a few days for mosquitoes to become adults.

“Empty standing water at least once a week,” he said. “Dumping out the water more often is even better. Don’t forget about drip pans underneath air conditioners and flower pots.”

Any holes in trees that hold water should be filled in.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), tree holes that do not hold water may provide nesting sites for birds or other wildlife and do not need to be filled.

Tree holes that hold water can be filled using silicone calking or expandable, water resistant insulation foam.

Bales said he is ordering a couple of cases of mosquito dunks to put into areas of standing water that can not be dumped. The dunks are used to kill mosquito larva.

“Citizens can purchase mosquito dunks at most hardware stores,” he added. 

Mosquito Carried Diseases

A mild winter, even by Texas standards, means Texas public health officials are on guard for a possible increase in West Nile virus cases this year, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. 

West Nile virus positive mosquitoes have been found in both Dallas and Montgomery Counties recently.

So far this year, the TDSHS has not reported any positive cases of West Nile or Zika Virus in people, however four human cases of Chikungunya virus and four cases of Dengue virus have been diagnosed in Texas residents in 2019.

Mosquitoes are also vectors for several animal diseases including heartworms, and equine encephalomyeltits.

Prevention

Mosquitoes can bite during both the day and night.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to help protect yourself from mosquito bites, according to the CDC.

Use an Environmental Protection Agency approved insect repellent according to the directions on the label. 

EPA-approved repellents include DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, and 2-undecanone.

Create a barrier by covering up with long sleeves and pants treated with an approved permethrin product.

Keep mosquitoes out by using air conditioning or ensuring all doors and windows have screens that are in good repair.

Cover baby strollers and carriers with mosquito netting.

•Dusk/Dawn – Avoid being outside when mosquitoes are searching for a blood meal, which is usually in the early morning hours and just before the sun goes down. While some species are daytime biters, most prefer to feed at dusk and dawn.

•Drain – Empty standing water from “containers” around your home and work areas, such as buckets, wheelbarrows, kiddie pools, toys, dog bowls, water troughs, tires, bottles, etc. Make improvements that allow standing water to run off following rains.

•Dress – If out during mosquito feeding hours, wear long sleeves and pants in plain colors. Avoid attracting them by wearing excessive amounts of perfume or aftershave.

•Defend – Any time you go outside for an extended period of time, wear an insect repellent.