HOUSTON – Recent storms and flooding seem to be creating the perfect breeding ground to fuel the mosquito population in the Houston area. The blood-sucking insects make it uncomfortable to go outside and enjoy the backyard, leaving many folks wondering how to combat the issue.
KPRC 2′s Bill Barajas spoke with Matthew Hilton, the owner of Mosquito Joe of North Houston, to get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding mosquitos.
Why is the mosquito problem so bad right now?
Mosquitos are a clever and hearty species. They do not necessarily require water to lay their eggs in. In fact, a very large number of the species in Houston are considered flood plain mosquitoes. Which means they will lay their eggs at low elevations in the flood plains to wait for rain.
These eggs stay viable for many years awaiting appropriate conditions to hatch. Since we were in drought conditions last year, we are most likely looking at a full season’s worth of hatch happening all at once from those particular species of mosquito, on top of the standard container breeding mosquito that is always present in Houston.
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How does it compare to previous years?
I would certainly say we are seeing triple the number of calls over last year at this time, but less than the pressures that we saw following Harvey and Imelda. It is certainly a very heavy mosquito pressure year.
What can homeowners do to combat the problem at home?
It is a dual approach:
- Control Breeding Sites
- Walk around the property and “Tip & Pour”—dump out any containers or other objects that hold water frequently and eliminate the container if possible
- Find low-lying areas in your yard that hold water, and preemptively use a Larvicide before rain. If it is already holding water, you can either larvicide or use mineral oil or dish soap to increase the surface tension of the water to prevent the larvae from breaching the surface and breathing (The whole surface of the water needs to be covered to be effective).
- Clean and maintain gutters. A fair majority of our clients have first-story gutters that are either in disrepair (so they don’t drain properly) or they are completely clogged with leaves and debris. These are perfect breeding sites for mosquitos.
- Control Shelter Sites
- Keep your yard well-maintained. The less clutter (piles of leaves, palm tree cuttings, etc.) and the shorter your grass, the less shelter you give mosquitos to rest during the day.
- Mosquito Barrier Treatments
- 21-day cyclic treatments focusing on breaking the breeding cycle and controlling the adult population. This requires technicians to larvicide the property and provide a barrier spray all foliage and trouble areas.
- Can use Synthetic or All-Natural products
- Mosquito Misting Systems
- Similar to barrier sprays, we install an automated system around the home to dispense a Synthetic or All-Natural solution to create a barrier that kills adult mosquitos on contact.
- LIV repellent system
- Unlike the barrier treatments or misting systems, the LIV repellent system does not kill mosquitos. It uses ultra-low dosage metofluthrin to create a 20ft diameter mosquito-free zone, so long as it is on.
- Perimeter Pest Services
- Use services that treat the full perimeter of the exterior of your home, covering all entry points, to kill on contact all pests entering or leaving the home.
Harris County Public Health Mosquito Control shared some prevention tips:
- Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by removing or covering water-holding containers.
- Use EPA-registered insect repellent outdoors.
- Wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves, pants, and socks.
Visit Harris County Public Health’s website for more prevention tips, disease information, and live maps of current mosquito-borne disease activities.