MISSOURI CITY, Texas – As if we don’t have enough to deal with post-Hurricane Beryl—mosquitos are making it insufferable.
Many residents across the Houston area have seen an uptick in those pesky and annoying insects.
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In response, Missouri City officials are responding to the situation by increasing the city’s mosquito spraying efforts to three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. until further notice.
The Brazoria County Mosquito Control District will also send trucks to spray in the following areas Tuesday night:
- Pearland/ Silverlake
- Hastings Field
- Iowa Colony/ Sterling Lakes/ Palm Crest
- Alvin Heights
- Manvel/ Sedona Lakes
- West Columbia
- Damon
- Sweeny
Aerial spraying locations:
- West Columbia
- Wild Peach
- West 1301/ Gayle Estates/ Camp Karankawa
KPRC 2 has reached out to Harris and other surrounding counties to get an update on their mosquito spraying efforts.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available. In the meantime, here are some necessary precautions to protect yourself and family from mosquitos:
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.