Mosquitoes live worldwide. They have a fly-like appearance with slender bodies, long legs, narrow wings covered in fine hair, and an extended mouthpart used for feeding. Female mosquitoes feed on the blood of people and animals to obtain the protein required to create eggs.
Two of the most common mosquito species living and breeding in Southeast Texas are:
- Asian tiger mosquitoes, which have a black-and-white striped pattern on their bodies.
- Southern house mosquitoes, which are medium-sized and brown with a banded lower abdomen.
When Are Mosquitoes Most Active in Texas?
When temperatures drop below 50 degrees, mosquito populations decline sharply. Southeast Texas rarely stays that cold, even in winter, so mosquitoes remain a mostly year-round pest problem. Their activity still intensifies during hotter weather as spring turns into summer.
Are Mosquitoes Dangerous?
Mosquitoes can be dangerous to people and pets. Asian tiger and southern house mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus. Other diseases mosquitoes may spread in the United States include encephalitis and Zika virus. Mosquitoes also infect dogs with canine heartworm, a potentially life-threatening parasite.
Why Do I Have a Mosquito Problem?
Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, where females lay eggs and larvae develop into adults. Ornamental ponds, marshes, wading pools, drainage ditches, and water collected in containers can all support mosquito development. Plant nectar is the main food source for both females and males, making properties with abundant flowering vegetation especially attractive.
Where Will I Find Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes gather near standing water and are most active around dusk and dawn. During the hottest part of the day, they rest in tall grasses, dense vegetation, roadway ditches, along fences and tree lines, and beneath decks or porches.
They enter homes while searching for a blood meal through gaps around windows and doors, open entrances, and damaged screens.
Do DIY Mosquito Treatments Work?
Prevention can reduce exposure, but DIY treatments rarely provide the consistent protection available from a professional mosquito program. Bill Clark Pest Control’s licensed specialists have the equipment, training, and local experience needed to treat Texas properties throughout mosquito season.
How Can I Prevent Mosquitoes in the Future?
Mosquitoes can find everything they need to breed around a property. These steps can reduce the conditions that attract them:
- Maintain clean gutters.
- Keep grass cut short and remove dense vegetation.
- Fill low-lying areas where water collects.
- Remove water from trash-can lids, tarps, and similar items.
- Store buckets, wheelbarrows, wading pools, and other containers upside down when not in use.
- Keep swimming pools properly maintained.
- Regularly empty and refill kiddie pools, birdbaths, and pet water dishes.
How Do I Get Rid of Mosquitoes?
The best way to reduce mosquitoes on your property is to work with a professional. Bill Clark Pest Control’s highly trained Bugsperts receive continuing education and stay current with industry practices. Our team provides thorough inspections and treatment through mosquito-control programs designed for Southeast Texas properties.